Smallholder Dairy Farming as a Source of Livelihood: A Case Study from Three Agro-Ecological Zones of Bhutan

Abstract

Smallholder dairy farming is an integral part of mixed crop-livestock farming systems, greatly contributing to livelihood enhancement for farmers throughout Bhutan. A quantified evaluation of its economic contribution to livelihood improvement for farmers, however, has not been formally carried out. This study, therefore, evaluates the role and economic contribution of smallholder dairy farming in three agro-ecological zones in Bhutan: the cool temperate, humid sub-tropical and wet sub-tropical zones. Structured questionnaire surveys were conducted with 90 randomly selected respondents in the three agro-ecological zones. The results indicate that overall smallholder dairy farming contributes to 18% of the household annual income (of which 14% is through milk and dairy product sales, and 4% from live animal sales). The rate of contribution differed significantly (p = .014) between the agro-ecological zones. The maximum contribution was found in the wet sub-tropical zone where dairy farming contributes 23.88% to the annual household income, and the minimum found in the cool temperate zone with 8.45%. Smallholder dairy farming plays an economically, environmentally, as well as a socially important role. Smallholder dairy farming provides potential to enhance production and generate higher income, thereby contributing to the Livestock Department’s vision of achieving self-reliance during the 11th Five Year Plan (2013 – 2018).