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

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.