Marketing and pricing pattern of milk and milk products in different agroclimatic zones of Rajasthan

Abstract

The study was conducted in six districts of Rajasthan categorized into three different agroclimatic zones included Hyperarid partial irrigated zone of Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts (zone-I), Semi-arid eastern plain of Jaipur and Ajmer districts (zone-II) and Internal drainage of dry zone of Nagaur and Jhunjhunu districts (zone-III). A total of 540 dairy cattle farmers (180 from each zone) having at least one milch cattle were interviewed by a pretested structured interview schedule. In zone-I and III majority of farmers either sold milk or milk products directly from home or consumed at home whereas in zone-II majority of farmers sold milk to dairy cooperatives. The chi square value indicated highly significant difference between different agroclimatic zones under study in marketing pattern. There was difference in pricing pattern of milk and milk products in different agroclimatic zones. The price of milk and milk products depends on transportation, demand for the product, availability of the product, quality of the product, population, etc. Marketing of milk and milk products mainly relied on unorganized sector and the need to develop dairy cooperatives with proper pricing of milk based on cost structure is needed. The practice of preparing value added milk products at farmer's level should be encouraged to increase income and facilitate easy marketing.