AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE CONSTRAINTS FACED BY DAIRY FARMERS IN ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, KERALA

India has become a global leader in the white revolution, holding the distinction of having the largest population of cows and buffaloes in the world. Since gaining independence, the country's dairy industry has seen steady and robust growth, characterized by significant enhancements in supply chains and milk processing facilities. Currently, Kerala ranks as the fifteenth-largest dairy market in India. In Kerala, dairying is mainly a subsidiary occupation of many small and marginal farmers. However the dairy farmers in the state continue to grapple with various challenges.The article aims to analyze the major constraints faced by dairy farmers in the three Grama Panchayaths of Alappuzha district, Kerala. A multi stage random sampling method was used to select 300 dairy farmers for the study. The statistical tool Garrett Ranking method was used for the analysis. The study reveals that the primary financial constraint faced by the farmers was the high cost of cattle feed, while the key personal constraint was identified as the lack of adequate infrastructure facilities. The farmers were also found to be faced with the situational constraints of the incidence of diseases among cattle, and the major marketing challenge identified was low milk prices. Keywords: Constraints, Dairy farmers, Dairy farming, Milk, Garret Ranking Method