Systems based approach to a small scale dairy farm (Goshala ): a case study
Built Environment Project and Asset Management
ISSN: 2044-124X
Article publication date: 7 April 2022
Issue publication date: 11 May 2022
Abstract
Purpose
One of the objectives of smart village is the efficient use of regional resources by local people to improve economic, social and environment conditions. Small-scale dairy farm (SDFs) exist in every village of India, contributing significantly to local economy and welfare of few families. The purpose of this work is to develop a mechanism to make SDF not only efficient but effective in operations.
Design/methodology/approach
A systems thinking approach is used to identify the variables influencing a SDF and develop a general framework – RAMHI (resources, alternate revenue, manpower, herd and infrastructure) comprising endogenous and exogenous variables. A representative SDF as a case study was chosen to implement RAMHI and assess its implementation feasibility and economic benefits.
Findings
Implementation of RAMHI gradually improves the economic benefits of a SDF. The key performing indicators like average milk produced/day; milk revenue/fodder cost; number of successful artificial insemination (AI) of herd/number of AI of herd; milking cow/dry cow; and milking cow/total cow, increased substantially in two successive years.
Originality/value
The literature reported and discussed individual variables influencing functioning of SDF while there are few conceptual frameworks proposed, comprising not more than three variables. This paper not only presents a comprehensive generalized framework – RAMHI, which comprises five variables like resources, alternate revenue, manpower, herd and infrastructure but also explains the implementation strategy and its benefits using a case study.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are thankful to M/s Merino Industries Ltd, India for providing funds and resources to undertake the work.
Citation
Darwai, V.R., Mandavgane, S.A. and Lohia, P. (2022), "Systems based approach to a small scale dairy farm (
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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