and microflora and overall relationship between plant and animal kingdom. It is the
totality of these relationships which is the backbone of the organic farming
(Funtilana 1990).
Climate change has become an important area of concern for India to ensure
food and nutritional security for growing population. The impact of climate change
is global, but countries like India are more vulnerable in view of the high population
depending on agriculture. In India, significant negative impacts have been implied
with medium-term (2010–2039) climate change, predicted to reduce yields by 4.5–
9 %, depending on the magnitude and distribution of warming. Since agriculture
makes up roughly 15 % of India’s GDP, a 4.5–9 % negative impact on production
implies a cost of climate change to be roughly up to 1.5 % of GDP per year.
Dairy farming is a livelihood for a large number of households in rural India and
provides jobs to unemployed rural people, specially rural women, increase income
of rural people, alleviate poverty in rural and less developed areas, help develop
rural areas and eradicate social evils, provide food security, increase efficiency of
agriculture sector, provide security against crop failure and increase export earnings
(Rural dairy farming and alleviation of poverty News letter Published in
DAWN.com). Dairy farming plays significant role in sustaining the rural livelihoods. In light of the above facts, to boost dairy farming for improving rural
livelihoods in India as well as in the state of Karnataka, the present study was
undertaken.
2 Methodology
A dairy farming and organic farming for bio-resource conservation and livelihood
development in Tumkur district, Karnataka, India was carried out from March 2010
to April 2014.
The present study was undertaken in two talukas (Sira and pavagada) of Tumkur
district Karnataka state, where Karnataka State Horticulture Department implemented the organic conversion programme on cluster base of 50 ha, consists of 20–
30 small and marginal farmers having at least one or two cows, buffalos of 3–4
villages. 50 organic and dairy farmers were selected by proportionate random
sampling method. Soil samples and yield of data of crop were collected yearly from
15 farmers and soil samples analyzed in government soil testing labs.
Data on dairy farming, milk yield and livelihood were collected by personal
interview and observation method, also from secondary sources of information such
as reports of Department of Animal Husbandry, Milk Unions. Discussions were
held with officials of these departments, experts, executives, to elicit their views,
ideas and opinion on the important issues pertaining to dairy farming and organic
farming for bio-resource conservation and livelihood development. The data were
analyzed using suitable statistical techniques such as average, frequency,
percentages.
Dairy Farming and Organic Farming for Bio-resource Conservation …
403
totality of these relationships which is the backbone of the organic farming
(Funtilana 1990).
Climate change has become an important area of concern for India to ensure
food and nutritional security for growing population. The impact of climate change
is global, but countries like India are more vulnerable in view of the high population
depending on agriculture. In India, significant negative impacts have been implied
with medium-term (2010–2039) climate change, predicted to reduce yields by 4.5–
9 %, depending on the magnitude and distribution of warming. Since agriculture
makes up roughly 15 % of India’s GDP, a 4.5–9 % negative impact on production
implies a cost of climate change to be roughly up to 1.5 % of GDP per year.
Dairy farming is a livelihood for a large number of households in rural India and
provides jobs to unemployed rural people, specially rural women, increase income
of rural people, alleviate poverty in rural and less developed areas, help develop
rural areas and eradicate social evils, provide food security, increase efficiency of
agriculture sector, provide security against crop failure and increase export earnings
(Rural dairy farming and alleviation of poverty News letter Published in
DAWN.com). Dairy farming plays significant role in sustaining the rural livelihoods. In light of the above facts, to boost dairy farming for improving rural
livelihoods in India as well as in the state of Karnataka, the present study was
undertaken.
2 Methodology
A dairy farming and organic farming for bio-resource conservation and livelihood
development in Tumkur district, Karnataka, India was carried out from March 2010
to April 2014.
The present study was undertaken in two talukas (Sira and pavagada) of Tumkur
district Karnataka state, where Karnataka State Horticulture Department implemented the organic conversion programme on cluster base of 50 ha, consists of 20–
30 small and marginal farmers having at least one or two cows, buffalos of 3–4
villages. 50 organic and dairy farmers were selected by proportionate random
sampling method. Soil samples and yield of data of crop were collected yearly from
15 farmers and soil samples analyzed in government soil testing labs.
Data on dairy farming, milk yield and livelihood were collected by personal
interview and observation method, also from secondary sources of information such
as reports of Department of Animal Husbandry, Milk Unions. Discussions were
held with officials of these departments, experts, executives, to elicit their views,
ideas and opinion on the important issues pertaining to dairy farming and organic
farming for bio-resource conservation and livelihood development. The data were
analyzed using suitable statistical techniques such as average, frequency,
percentages.
Dairy Farming and Organic Farming for Bio-resource Conservation …
403