Rural Women’s Attitudes Towards Dairy Farming: Insights from Kumaon Division of Uttarakhand

Agriculture has played a vital role in shaping human civilization, a fact supported by archaeological discoveries from ancient cultures like Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Agricultural practices have undergone substantial development since their origin over 10,000 years ago, with significant advancements occurring throughout history. Today, India ranks second globally in terms of cultivable land, with around 159.7 million hectares (or 394.6 million acres), following only the United States (Kholiya, 2019). Dairy farming not only supplements farm income but also plays a crucial role in ensuring nutritional security and empowering marginalized groups, particularly women. Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state renowned for its rich cultural heritage and agrarian economy, makes a significant contribution to India’s dairy sector. (Kankarne, et. al, 2017)

According to the 20th Livestock Census (2019), the state is home to approximately 3.41 million cattle, accounting for about 1.77% of India’s total cattle population. Its share in the national milk production stands at around 1.06% (BAHS, 2022). With an annual milk output of approximately 1.84 million tons, dairy farming serves as a crucial source of livelihood for small and marginal farmers in Uttarakhand, particularly in rural regions with limited alternative employment opportunities. In this context, the Kumaon Division holds a significant position, as women form the backbone of dairy activities. Women in Kumaon are actively engaged in the entire livestock management cycle from feeding and milking to healthcare, breeding, and marketing milk, contributing substantially to the rural economy and household nutrition (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying 2021). As noted by FAO (2011) that an impressive 88% of rural women in India are engaged in agriculture and related fields. Despite their pivotal involvement, women in Kumaon often operate under socio-cultural constraints. Traditional norms restrict their mobility, limit their decision-making capacity, and reduce their access to essential resources, including education, credit, veterinary care, and training opportunities. The majority of their knowledge is derived from traditional practices passed down through generations, with minimal exposure to scientific training. While many women display positive attitudes toward dairy farming, their willingness to adopt improved practices is often curtailed by inadequate institutional support, fodder shortages, and insufficient veterinary services.

The present study was undertaken with the objectives

(i)   To explore the socio-personal, economic, psychological, and communication characteristics of rural women.

(ii)   To assess the attitude of rural women towards dairy farming.

This study, therefore, seeks to assess the socio-economic and attitudinal profiles of rural women engaged in dairy farming in Kumaon, with the ultimate goal of recommending strategies for their empowerment.

The present study was conducted in the Kumaon Division of Uttarakhand, specifically in the Kotabagh block of Nainital district. Using simple random sampling (the chit method), three villages —Devipur, Naripur, and Khadakpur — were selected. A total of 154 rural women involved in dairy farming were chosen as respondents using the Probability Proportionate to Size (PPS) method, with the sample size determined using Yamane’s formula.

Yamane’s formula:

n = N / (1 + N * (e²)

Where:

 n = sample size

N = population size

e = margin of error

The total population across the three villages was 628, and at a 7% precision level, the required sample size was calculated as 154 (88 from Devipur, 38 from Naripur, and 28 from Khadakpur). Data collection was conducted using a structured interview schedule, which was administered.

        The study employed a descriptive research design, appropriate for systematically describing existing conditions, characteristics, and relationships among variables without manipulation. The socio-economic status of the respondents was measured using the scale developed by Pandya and Pandya (2007–08). Attitude towards dairy farming refers to the extent of positive or negative feelings held by dairy women regarding various aspects of animal husbandry. Attitude toward dairy farming was assessed using a 10-statement Likert scale developed by Prajapati (2018). Responses were recorded on a five-point scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree,” with scores from 5 to 1, and total scores ranging from 21.60 to 60. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, and mean score to derive meaningful interpretations.

                          Figure 1: Overall socio economic status of study sample (n=154)

Attitude of rural women towards dairy farming

Table 3- Attitude towards dairy farming

SA= Strongly Agree, A= Agree, UD= Undecided, D= Disagree, SD= Strongly Disagree

1.   Dairy farming is a profitable venture (+): A considerable number of respondents either agreed (56) or strongly agreed (43) with the view that dairy farming is a profitable activity. Only a small portion (10) disagreed, and none strongly disagreed. This demonstrates a widely accepted perception of profitability in dairy farming, consistent with findings that highlight its role in generating stable income in rural areas.

2.   I think animal husbandry activity is worthwhile for efficient and effective resource use of the farmer (+): A majority of respondents (59 agreed and 43 strongly agreed) expressed a positive opinion about the usefulness of animal husbandry in efficiently utilizing farm resources. The absence of any disagreement supports earlier research, which indicates that integrated livestock systems enhance overall agricultural productivity.

3.   Animal husbandry is helping in reducing risk in farming (+):The responses revealed strong agreement, with 54 respondents strongly agreeing and 68 agreeing, showing that animal husbandry is widely recognized as a valuable strategy for mitigating risks in farming.

4.   There is a lot of scope for animal husbandry enterprise, which is getting momentum in India as demand for milk is increasing day by day (+): This statement also received substantial support, with 59 strongly agreeing and 52 agreeing. The results reflect the respondents' understanding of the expanding market for milk and dairy products in the country.

5.   I don’t want to keep animals as they require engagement around the day (-): Most respondents either disagreed (108) or strongly disagreed (46) with the statement that they would avoid keeping animals due to the time commitment required. This suggests that time-related challenges are not viewed as a significant barrier, contradicting common concerns often associated with livestock farming.

6.   I believe it helps women to get access to the credit and loans (+): A large proportion of respondents (57 strongly agreed and 62 agreed) acknowledged that dairy farming can be a helpful tool in enabling women to access financial services, in line with studies that associate dairy enterprises with women’s economic empowerment.

7.   I think it improves women's position in family and society (+): A large proportion of respondents (57 strongly agreed and 62 agreed) acknowledged that dairy farming can be a helpful tool in enabling women to access financial services, in line with studies that associate dairy enterprises with women’s economic empowerment.

8.   Illiterate but functionally literate women can do animal husbandry practices (+): The belief that even women with minimal formal education can effectively carry out dairy-related tasks was shared by most respondents (47 strongly agreed and 78 agreed), supporting the notion that basic literacy is sufficient for managing animal husbandry operations.

9.   I think it helps reform old traditional thoughts (+): An overwhelming majority of respondents (97 agreed and 42 strongly agreed) viewed dairy farming as a progressive force in reshaping outdated rural mindsets.

10.    I think dairy farming is the best way to get self-employment (+): A significant number of respondents (71 agreed and 56 strongly agreed) endorsed the idea that dairy farming serves as an effective and sustainable self-employment option, reaffirming its value as a livelihood strategy.

Table 4: Distribution of respondents according to their attitude towards dairy farming                                                                                                                     (n=154)

Table 4 indicates that most rural women engaged in dairy farming (52.6%) exhibited a favourable attitude toward dairy farming practices. This was followed by 29.9% who expressed a neutral attitude, 11.7% with a strongly favourable attitude, and 5.8% with an unfavourable attitude toward animal husbandry. Notably, none of the respondents reported a strongly unfavourable attitude toward dairy farming. These findings suggest that the majority of rural women held a favourable perception of dairy farming. This positive attitude may be attributed to factors such as stable milk prices and a reliable source of income that requires minimal additional resources.

Based on the above study, it can be concluded that rural women in dairy farming have come to understand the importance of dairy farming as a means of socio-economic upliftment. The study highlights the significant contribution of rural women to dairy farming in Kumaon, Uttarakhand. Although the majority demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge and a favourable attitude, their potential was limited by factors such as low income, inadequate training, and insufficient access to veterinary services. To enhance their participation and effectiveness, there is a need to strengthen gender-sensitive extension services, provide better training opportunities, and establish stronger market linkages, thereby enabling rural women to realize their full potential in the dairy sector.