School of Social Sciences, College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Umiam, Meghalaya793103, India.
Department of Agricultural Economics, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Iroisemba, Manipur795004, India.
J Dairy Res. 2021 May;88(2):121-127. doi: 10.1017/S002202992100008X. Epub 2021 Feb 17.
Yield gaps in milk production are here defined as the differentials between the actual yield obtained by the dairy farmer and the potential farm yield (production achieved by the top 10% of farmers: Gap 2) as well as the differential between this potential farm yield and the yield registered in the research stations (Gap 1). Assessment of yield gaps provides valuable information on potential production enhancement and drivers behind yield gaps. Milk production can be increased by narrowing the predominant large yield gaps in resource-poor smallholder farming system. Hence, this study assessed the milk yield gap and factors affecting the yield gap in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, a state located in the north-eastern Himalayan region of India. This research paper provides a scope for exploring the possibilities for improving dairy production in the state as well as contributing to literature through incorporating crucial determinants responsible for milk yield gap. A sample of 81 respondents was drawn purposely from two blocks of the district. The results indicated that the average number of cattle per household was 9.38 in standard animal units. The total yield gap was estimated at 6.20 l (91.06%) per day, composed of 0.80 l (11.76%) per day of yield gap I and 5.40 l (79.30%) per day of yield gap II. This demonstrates that the top performing farms were achieving a production level not dissimilar to that obtained on the research stations, but many were doing far less well. The size of cattle shed, dairy farming experience, concentrate price and human labour were the important determinants of the yield gap. Hence, encouraging the right stocking density of cattle, training on the preparations of home-made concentrates, access to cheap and quality concentrates, incorporating training and experience sharing on proper dairy management practices and use of technology could benefit the dairy farmers of the region.
产奶量差距在这里被定义为奶农实际产量与潜在农场产量（前 10%的农民的产量：差距 2）之间的差异，以及潜在农场产量与研究站记录的产量之间的差异（差距 1）。评估产奶量差距可以提供有关潜在生产提高和产奶量差距背后驱动因素的有价值信息。通过缩小资源匮乏的小农系统中主要的大产奶量差距，可以提高牛奶产量。因此，本研究评估了印度东北部喜马拉雅地区梅加拉亚邦里布霍伊区的牛奶产量差距及其影响因素。本研究论文通过纳入对牛奶产量差距负责的关键决定因素，为探索提高该州乳制品生产的可能性以及通过纳入对牛奶产量差距负责的关键决定因素为文献做出贡献提供了一个范围。从该地区的两个街区有目的地抽取了 81 名受访者作为样本。结果表明，每个家庭的平均牛数为 9.38 头标准动物单位。总产奶量差距估计为每天 6.20 升（91.06%），其中产奶量差距 I 为每天 0.80 升（11.76%），产奶量差距 II 为每天 5.40 升（79.30%）。这表明表现最好的农场的产量水平与研究站的产量水平相差不大，但许多农场的产量要低得多。牛棚的大小、奶牛养殖经验、浓缩物价格和劳动力是产奶量差距的重要决定因素。因此，鼓励适当的牛存栏密度、培训自制浓缩物的制备、获得廉价和优质的浓缩物、纳入适当的奶牛管理实践的培训和经验分享以及使用技术，可能会使该地区的奶牛养殖户受益。
