Environmental Sustainability of Smallholder Dairy Production Systems

This study addresses the critical knowledge gap concerning the environmental sustainability of smallholder dairy systems, which are pivotal to India's milk production. A robust multi-criteria methodology was employed, commencing with an exhaustive literature review to identify a comprehensive suite of environmental sustainability indicators. These indicators encompassed crucial aspects such as land use efficiency, nutrient management, water resource utilization, waste disposal practices, breeding strategies, and energy consumption. Subsequent refinement of this initial indicator set involved rigorous expert review, prioritizing practicality and measurability within the context of smallholder operations. The meticulously selected indicators were then empirically applied to a representative sample of smallholder dairy farms in Haryana. The investigation revealed a direct land use of 0.7 m2 per liter of milk produced. Noteworthy findings pertaining to input consumption included fertilizer application rates of 28 g urea, 14 g diammonium phosphate (DAP), and 0.7 g single super phosphate (SSP) per liter of milk. Furthermore, a substantial water consumption of 1488.23 liters per liter of milk produced was identified. A crucial contribution of this study is the explicit consideration and identification of critical environmental boundaries, a factor often overlooked in previous sustainability assessments. By contrasting the observed resource usage with regional water availability and established critical land-use thresholds, a significant insight emerged: smallholder dairy production in Haryana may currently operate within environmentally sustainable parameters. These findings provide invaluable data for policymakers and stakeholders, serving as a scientific basis for the formulation of regionally appropriate and livelihood-supporting strategies for sustainable dairy production.