Traditional Feeding practices of Brokpas in Arunachal Pradesh: A Case Study on Estimating Economic Efficiency of Yak Herders in Northeast India

Yak Herding plays a significant role in the livelihoods of high-altitude pastoral communities in Arunachal Pradesh, India. This study aims to analyze the influence of traditional feeding strategies on yak health, milk yield, production, and overall economic efficiency. The highland pastoralist communities are dependent on the natural grazing for their animal, which is a sustainable and cost-effective way of livelihood. Despite facing multiple challenges concerning feed management. The research is based on field observations, surveys, and interviews with yak herders to analyze traditional and modern feeding practices followed by the yak herders in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh. The study highlights the need for sustainable feeding strategies to ensure better productivity, economic viability, and resilience against climatic challenges. Proper feeding practices, including supplementary feeding during winter and improved pasture management, significantly enhance milk production, reproductive performance, and yak survival rates. Findings indicate that at the 0.05 level of significance, the labour cost coefficient and the concentrate and mineral cost coefficient both show positive trends and are statistically significant. The positive coefficient means that the cost of producing milk will increase by 0.0287 per cent for every per cent increase in concentrate and mineral prices. In a similar vein, the positive labour cost coefficient suggests that a per cent rise in labour costs will result in a 0.062 per cent increase in milk production costs. Recommendations include the adoption of balanced nutrition plans, fodder conservation techniques, and policy support for improving feed availability. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of efficient yak farming practices in Arunachal Pradesh and their implications for pastoral sustainability.