Comparative Cost and Return Analysis of Milk Production from Crossbred and Local Cows in Thoubal District, Manipur, India
Laitonjam Jalita Devi *
Department of Agricultural Economics, South Asian Institute of Rural and Agricultural Management, Langjing Achouba, Imphal West, Manipur – 795113, India.
Elangbam Yaiphaleima Chanu
Department of Agricultural Economics, South Asian Institute of Rural and Agricultural Management, Langjing Achouba, Imphal West, Manipur – 795113, India.
Changamayum Girija Devi
Department of Agricultural Statistics, South Asian Institute of Rural and Agricultural Management, Langjing Achouba, Imphal West, Manipur – 795113, India.
Bhavani Yengkokpam
Department of Agricultural Economics, South Asian Institute of Rural and Agricultural Management, Langjing Achouba, Imphal West, Manipur – 795113, India.
Nandeshori Salam
Department of Agricultural Economics, South Asian Institute of Rural and Agricultural Management, Langjing Achouba, Imphal West, Manipur – 795113, India.
Monika Aheibam
Department of Agricultural Economics, South Asian Institute of Rural and Agricultural Management, Langjing Achouba, Imphal West, Manipur – 795113, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study assessed the costs and returns of milk production from crossbred and local cows among dairy farmers in Thoubal district, Manipur. Primary data were collected during the 2024–2025 agricultural year from 60 dairy farmers selected through a stratified two-stage sampling procedure. The sample included 41 farmers rearing crossbred cows and 19 rearing local cows. Percentage and tabular analyses were used, and production costs were classified into fixed and variable components. The annual maintenance cost per milch cow was ₹64,145.22 for crossbred cows and ₹45,825.61 for local cows. Feed and fodder represented the largest cost component, followed by human labour. Annual milk production averaged 4,677.51 litres per crossbred cow and 2,832.35 litres per local cow. Gross income was ₹280,650.60 per crossbred cow and ₹169,941.00 per local cow, whereas net income was ₹218,595.57 and ₹126,463.22, respectively. The benefit–cost ratio was 4.37 for crossbred cows and 3.71 for local cows. Within the sampled farms, crossbred cows incurred higher maintenance costs but generated greater milk output and financial returns than local cows. The findings suggest that the profitability of dairy farming in the study area is associated with breed type, feed management, labour use, animal-health services, and overall farm management. However, the breed differences should be interpreted as descriptive associations because the analysis did not control for other farm and animal characteristics.
Keywords: Dairy farming, milk production, production economics, maintenance cost, gross income, net income, benefit–cost ratio, crossbred cows, local cows