During COVID-19 outbreak and the following lockdown every sector in India, including the livestock industry, has experienced an unparalleled emergency and abrupt distress. Dairy industry was one of the most delicate livestock industries since it deals with milk, a necessary but perishable item. The aim of the study was to identify the constraints faced by dairy entrepreneurs of Pashu Vigyan Incubator during COVID-19 pandemic in initiating dairy enterprise and selling milk, management of dairy, procuring feed and fodder and in attempt to reduce COVID impact. The study was conducted on the dairy entrepreneurs who attended the dairy farming and milk processing training at Pashu Vigyan Incubator at ICAR-IVRI in 2019-20 and 2020-2021. Total 91 dairy farmers constitute the sample size which were interviewed using well-structured questionnaire mailed to them followed by telephonic interview. Different constraints were ranked based on severity using Garrett ranking technique. Study revealed the difficulties that the trainees encountered in establishing their dairy farm and attempts to sell milk ‘lack of fund released by the bank and NABARD in form of loan or subsidy’, ‘lack of transportation facilities’ were perceived as 2 major constraints during COVID-19 pandemic while in the management of dairy animal ‘high management cost’ and ‘issues of animal breeding due to limited access to the AI services’ were perceived as 2 major constraints during COVID-19 pandemic. From different constraints faced by the respondents in procuring feed and fodder “lack of availability of dry fodder" 'Increased price of dry forage’ reported as two most important constraint. Respondent of urban areas perceived ‘lack of availability of green fodder’ as their main obstacle while trainees from rural background ranked it as least important constraints. Out of all constraints faced by the respondents in an attempt to deal with COVID impact 'lack of availability of loan to start new or revive the old venture’ and lack sufficient knowledge of the COVID-19 hygienic guidelines for the production, preservation, transportation, and sale of milk during the lockdown’ were ranked 2 most important constraint by the respondents.

Keyword: Constraints; COVID-19; Pashu Vigyan Incubator; Dairy.