Milk production function and resource use efficiency of women dairy cooperatives in Begusarai district of Bihar

The present study was carried out in Begusarai district of Bihar with 80 members of women dairy co-operative societies and 80 non-members. The milk production function was fitted and log-log functional form was the best fit in case of both crossbred cow and buffalo. Dry fodder, concentrate and labour had a significant impact on milk production of crossbred in case of members while for non-members, green fodder, dry fodder and concentrate had a significant impact. Similarly, for buffalo milk production, in case of members, green fodder, dry fodder, concentrate and labour were significant while for non-members, green fodder, dry fodder, concentrate and miscellaneous expenses were significant. Seasonal impact was also measured by using season dummy. It was observed that season had an impact on milk production in case of crossbred both for members and nonmembers and for buffalo in case of non-members only, with more milk production in winter season than summer. All the resources were efficiently utilized other than green fodder for buffalo in case of non-member category which was over utilized.