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Abstract
Crossbreds hold the solution to the milk-deficit problem of North-Eastern states of India. The proportion
of crossbred cattle in the region is 7.54 per cent (3.46 per cent of the country) as against 13.33 per cent for
the country as a whole. However, the productivity of crossbred cattle has been found considerably low
(4.8 L/day) in the region as against the all-India average of 6.4 L/day of milk yield. Yield gap analysis has
been applied to find out the intra-regional milk yield gaps and the factors that could be addressed in the
short-run to make-up the deficit. Based on the analysis, it has been identified that the major factors
affecting the milk yield of crossbred animals in the N-E states are the technological and socio-economic
constraints, which could be addressed by adopting improved management practices, better feeding
practices, controlling of diseases and amelioration of the socio-economic conditions of the farmers through
training, education and enhancing access to the funds. Addressal of these constraints will increase actual
milk yield by about 66 per cent, sufficient enough to meet the deficit of milk requirement in the region.
Category-wise yield gap analysis has shown that the highest increase in milk yield will be obtained on
medium category households. The factors significantly affecting the milk yield at the household level are
allocation of human-days per animal, expenditure on concentrate, economic status of the farmer and
availability of the green fodder in the surroundings. While no major breakthrough is expected immediately,
improvement in these factors would meet the milk deficit in the region.