Break-even Estimation and Employment Generation from Nili-Ravi Buffalo Milk Production in Punjab

The decline in the Nili-Ravi buffalo population is significant and alarming. The breeding tract of Nili-Ravi falls in Punjab, India. Primary data from 120 Nili-Ravi buffalo farmers from 16 villages in Ferozpur and Sangrur districts were collected. The cost, returns, break-even point (BEP) milk, and employment generation were calculated. The average net income of milk production after the deduction of the gross cost was estimated to be ?27,703.08 per buffalo per annum, with BEP milk production of 1063.75 kg. The annual average employment was 215.88 man-days per farm. The study implied that rearing Nili-Ravi for milk production generated reasonable income and employment in the study area. However, due to the lack of superior germplasm and institutional support, the Nili-Ravi buffalo population declined drastically in the study area.