Sustainable fodder crop-feed integration practices: Impact on dairy farm economics and agricultural diversity
2025
Renu, J J | Velavan, C | Rohini, A | Maruthasalam, S | Selvi, R P
The study aimed to identify factors influencing feed purchase among dairy farmers in Tamil Nadu. The study highlights the crucial relationship between fodder crop cultivation and dairy farming economics. Local fodder crops like Hybrid Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) play a vital role in supplementing commercial cattle feed, potentially reducing feed costs by 15-20 %. Integrating sustainable fodder cultivation practices with commercial feed usage presents opportunities for improving dairy farm profitability while promoting agricultural diversity. A survey was conducted among 200 dairy farmers in the districts of Ariyalur and Perambalur to gain a deeper understanding of that consumer buying behaviour, cost of production, benefit-cost ratio, factors influence buying behaviour and constraints faced by the farmers while purchasing and using cattle feed, such as the fact that specific feeds are improperly prepared, that costs are prohibitively high and that obtaining credit to pay for feeds is difficult. Key determinants of feed choice include product-related factors, marketing, economic factors, distribution, farm and milk production, labour and Government support. It is concluded that producers, distributors and legislators have insightful information about how to raise feed quality, accessibility and affordability while also boosting the financial viability and sustainability of Tamil Nadus’ dairy industry.
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