Exploring the Adaptation Strategies to Meteorological Disasters Followed by Dairy Farmers of Indian Sundarbans

Abstract

Breeding, feeding, health care and shelter management play a crucial role in maximizing the potential of dairy animals for milk production and protecting them from meteorological disasters. This study involved a sample of 180 dairy farmers, selected randomly from the Kakdwip, Namkhana and Sagar blocks in the Sundarbans region of India, to explore the management strategies they adopted. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of the respondents (74.45%) were rearing indigenous breeds. The majority (70.00%) of the farmers in the study area were in touch with local para vets for any immediate veterinary assistance. (71.67%) of dairy farmers utilized crop residues, tree leaves and grazing practices as alternatives used to cope with fodder shortages caused by the disaster and 20.56 percent of dairy farmers were feeding less concentrate and less green fodder as feed during the disaster conditions. Preventive measures, such as vaccination, were adopted by (61.11%) of the respondents to maintain the health of animals. Among animal sheds only, 6.11 percent of farmers built raised sheds from ground level to avoid injury or death. Therefore, the management of breeding, feeding, health care and shelter among dairy farmers in the Sundarbans region needs improvement. It can be possible by organizing awareness programs on breeding services, providing seeds of high-yielding varieties by dairy cooperatives for fodder cultivation, equipping veterinarians for timely health care and financial help for better shed construction.