Abstract
Dairy farming helps in poverty alleviation and supplements other income generating activities. The dairy farms are
located in the peri-urban areas of the major cities to meet the demand of milk. The farms are established without
scientific planning for building, roads, water supply and drainage. The author has worked with the farmers as a
PhD scholar, Herd Health Researcher and currently as a Professor. The farmers are taking care of 57 million
dairy animals in Pakistan, valuing approximately RS.1.5 trillion and contributing to the national economy, about
RS.1.2 trillion per annum (US$1 = Rs.60). Peri-urban dairy farms are owned by Gujars. Establishment of the
traditional dairy farms is based upon opportunity cost- invested by their ancestors. The investment made by the
ancestors and the rising levels of unemployment compel the farming families to stick to the business. The farmers
try to continue the business without calculating the financial inputs and the production has been reported to
recover only 75% of the cost. The farmers have developed social norms through interaction with the technical,
development and marketing agents. Training needs have been discussed for the farmers, entrepreneurs,
scientists, veterinarians, technicians and women.
