Unraveling the Constraints Influencing the Marketing Behaviour of Dairy Farmers in Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Dairy farming in Chhattisgarh plays a crucial role in rural livelihoods, yet farmers face multiple constraints that vary across the state’s three Agro-climatic zones: Chhattisgarh Plains, Northern Hills, and Bastar Plateau. A study of 360 dairy farmers using the Rank Based Quotient (RBQ) method revealed that the most critical production constraints include limited availability of high-yielding dairy animals (RBQ: Plains 84.17, Northern Hills 83.65, Bastar 83.85) and lack of Artificial Insemination (A.I.) facilities, particularly severe in Northern Hills (87.50) and Bastar Plateau (87.71). Marketing challenges such as unorganized markets (RBQ up to 93.20) and lack of accessible marketing facilities (RBQ: Northern Hills 94.21, Bastar 94.04) were prominent. Technical issues, especially declining crossbred animal performance due to heat stress, had RBQ values near 89 across zones. Economic constraints were highlighted by high capital investment for animal housing (Northern Hills 95.60, Bastar 94.76) and expensive insurance premiums (Plains 93.69). Infrastructural deficits such as lack of timely medical aid (Bastar 84.86) and socio-psychological barriers like selective veterinary support (RBQ over 82) further impede sector growth. The findings emphasize the need for zone-specific interventions to improve genetics, veterinary services, market infrastructure, financial support, and farmer education to promote sustainable dairy farming in Chhattisgarh.