A Study on the Present Situation of Dairy Farming Practices in Divisional Secretariat Division of Kamburupitiya, Matara District, Sri Lanka

Abstract

A field survey was conducted in randomly selected fifty one dairy farmers (out of 284 farmers) in Kamburupitiya divisional secretary division (DSD) in Matara district to find out the present situation of dairy industry practices and to compare them among the farmers. Three systems of cattle production were identified; semi intensive (74%), extensive system (22%) and intensive system (4%) in the area. The main feeding system practiced in this area was natural grazing due to lack of improved grasses. Feeding of mixed concentrate was common, but the amounts fed were rather low. Feeding of concentrate ingredients such as rice polish bran, coconut poonac, minerals and vitamins also followed a similar pattern. There was room to improve feeding practices by introducing new techniques such as chopping and giving total mixed ration. It was evident that nearly 19% farmers do not give proper housing for cattle. The Most common diseases identified in this area were diarrhea (29%). However, due to improved veterinary services (63%) rather than using traditional methods (14%) and vaccination has improved dairying considerably. It was concluded that, the involvement in dairy farming as a part time occupation by a majority of households is a constraint for the development of the industry. Involvement of women should be increased at village level in order to improve the industry thereby increasing the household income. Appropriate technology for minimizing expenses, particularly on feeding and genetic upgrading, better marketing facilities and veterinary health care are crucial for the development of dairying in Kamburupitiya divisional sectary division.