Archives of Current Research International

In India, where approximately 89.4 per cent of farmers own less than two hectares of land, understanding their livelihood security is vital for formulating strategies to enhance their quality of life. This study focused on constraints affecting dairy farming livelihoods among smallholder mixed farmers in North Kerala, who primarily cultivate coconut along with banana, fodder, vegetables, and arecanut as subsidiary crops. A total of 200 farmers, each owning up to two hectares of land and rearing one to three milch cattle, were purposively selected for the study. The selection focused on regions with the highest concentration of milch cattle in North Kerala. Based on the National Livestock Census (2019), two blocks each were selected from Kozhikode (Perambra and Kunnummal) and Kannur (Thaliparamba and Peravoor) districts.

The study employed the Garrett ranking technique to identify and prioritize the major factors influencing farmers’ livelihoods. The Garrett ranking technique was applied to the primary data collected through structured interviews, where farmers openly shared the main challenges affecting their livelihoods. The results revealed that high feed and labour costs, low milk prices, and inadequate institutional support were the most critical challenges faced by farmers. Addressing these issues through effective policies and targeted support programmes could enhance the profitability and sustainability of farming systems. The study’s findings can help policymakers and development agencies craft practical, evidence-based solutions to strengthen smallholder dairy farming and build more resilient rural livelihoods.