Study of socio-economic and production of small dairy holders in northeastern Thailand
1998
Thevin Vongpralub | Pitcharat Sanchaisuriya | Suchint Simaraks | Weera Pak-uthai | Ratchanee Lounoonkoa | Adit Tungpaiboon | Theerachai Haitook | Sombat Thawornchinsombat (Khon Kaen Univ., Khon Kaen (Thailand). Faculty of Agriculture.)
Dairy farming was a recent activity introduced to the northeast of Thailand. This study was aimed to obtain information related to socio-economic and production of small dairy holders in the northeastern provinces of Thailand, except Nakorn Ratchasima province, in order to identify their limitations and problems. The surveys, using questionnaire and interviewing, were conducted during 1990-1991 and found that the number of small dairy holders in 1991 increased by 642 households from 1380 in 1990, while the number of dairy cattle in 1991 increased by 5,766 heads from 14,751 in 1990. The dairy farming covered both irrigated and rainfed areas. Dairy farmer groups or dairy cooperatives were identified in Udorn Thani, Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon, Surin, Sri Saket, and Buriram provinces. Most of the dairy holders had completed compulsory education (Prathom 4), 67 percent engaged in agricultural activity, their average land holding size was 34.6+-25 rai (5.5 hectres). Dairy farms were initiated and extended by government organizations. Most of the dairy cows were Holstein x Brahman crossbred varying from 50 to 87.5 percent Holstein Friesian blood. The average pasture, a source of roughage during the wet season was 9.3+-9.4 rai. Rice straw was a main source of roughage during the dry summer months. Milk could be sold within the village market or to local milk processing plant or to milk collecting centre and were further transported to the processing plants in the central region of the country. Problems effecting decision making on withdrawal from dairy farming were the far distance between farms, marketing, low milk yields, feed scarcity especially roughage, animal health, low conception rate, and limited labour.
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