Title: Emerging microfinance issues in dairy development: a case study from Karnataka, India

Authors: V. Ramakrishnappa, R. Jagannatha Rao

Addresses: Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Nagarabhavi, Bangalore 560072, India. ' Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India

Abstract: Dairy enterprise is an established sector in rural India and is playing a vital role in generating additional income and employment. In Karnataka, dairy development is a positive and significant as state contributes towards milk production, marketing, and processing of various dairy products in India. The microfinance programmes extended in dairy sector are helpful to take up dairy as main occupation among economically backward communities in the state. This paper, an attempt was made to analyse the different aspects of microfinance scheme (New Swarnima) implemented by KBCDC. The implementation of New Swarnima Scheme, one of the most popular microfinance schemes in the state to promote dairy among backward communities, was assessed at microlevel by selecting 18 beneficiaries belonging to landless labourers, marginal and small farmers in Kolar district in Karnataka state. The study found that the microfinance scheme has positive impact on income and employment generation, and has improved the natural resource management options.

Keywords: dairy development; microfinance; Kolar; Karnataka; India; rural areas; milk production; marketing; dairy products; landless labourers; marginal farmers; small farmers; income generation; employment generation; natural resource management; environmental management; developing countries.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2006.009928

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2006 Vol.5 No.4, pp.399 - 412

Published online: 03 Jun 2006 *

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