The livestock enterprise is positioned to be a major growth area in agriculture sector. It is increasingly recognized that dairying could play a more constructive role in promoting rural welfare and reducing poverty. Besides, milk cow dung is an important input as organic manure for crop production. It is also widely used as fuel in rural areas. Keeping in view the importance of livestock among farming community this study was carried out in five villages of Faizabad district of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. For this study hundred milk producing households were selected randomly. The highest feeding cost was worked out in summer followed by winter and rainy seasons. In winter, summer and rainy seasons, it was Rs. 54.74, 57.76 and 51.29 on marginal; Rs. 49.86, 52.10 and 45.67 on small and Rs.45.09, 47.36 and 39.98 respectively on medium herd size groups. The net maintenance cost of per milch cattle per day was estimated by deducting the income of dung out the total maintenance cost. In winter, summer and rainy seasons, it was Rs. 76.47, 74.85 & 73.50 on marginal, Rs. 69.78, 68.94 & 66.51 on small and Rs. 64.12, 63.23 & 60.21, respectively on medium herd size groups. The cost benefit ratio per milch cow per day was 1.36, 1.41 & 1.46 in winter, summer and rainy seasons, respectively on marginal herd size groups. The same trend was found in small and medium herd size groups. The women participation in milk production was higher in feeding, milking, compost making and drinking compared to other practices. The major constraints in dairy are inadequate knowledge about balanced feeding, lack of vaccination at appropriate time, unavailability of artificial insemination (AI) facility on time and low price of milk.

Keyword: Milk production; Cost, Returns; Employment; Constraints