Developing Effective Water Policies for Dairy Farms in Punjab: A Focus on Seasonal and Species-Specific Requirements

The present study was conducted on 180 crossbred cows, 447 buffaloes and 196 indigenous cattle across the state of Punjab to address this issue. The analysis yielded several noteworthy findings regarding water consumption and footprint in dairy farming systems, particularly in Punjab, India. From the selected farms, data on water usage in milk production were collated on a seasonal basis. On average, farms consumed 8.43 litres of water per kg of FPCM. Indigenous cattle generally exhibited higher water footprints per kilogram of FPCM produced, with crossbred cattle having the lowest footprint. The study also highlighted the broader impact of dairy farming on water resources, particularly in Punjab, where groundwater depletion poses significant challenges. Despite dairy farming's considerable water footprint, it was found to be lower than that of other agricultural activities, such as rice cultivation. Overall, the results underscore the importance of adopting sustainable water management practices in dairy farming to mitigate environmental impacts and ensure long-term sustainability, particularly in regions facing water scarcity, such as Punjab.