Abstract Dairy farming has emerged as a critical livelihood activity in the semi-arid regions of Maharashtra, particularly in drought-prone tehsil such as Shevgaon in Ahmednagar district, where agricultural income remains uncertain due to rainfall variability and limited irrigation (Government of Maharashtra, 2020; NDDB, 2022). The present study examines the potential for strengthening dairy farming assets in Shevgaon tehsil through an asset-based analytical framework linking milk collection patterns, processing infrastructure, and export trends. Primary data were collected through structured village-level surveys covering herd composition, dairy infrastructure, and milk marketing channels, while secondary data were sourced from cooperative institutions, private dairies, and official records (NSSO, 2014; NDDB, 2019). Dairy Asset Utilization Ratios and a Value Addition and Export Potential Index were computed to assess productivity, management efficiency, and market integration across revenue circles, following benchmarks suggested by Birthal et al. (2017) and NDDB (2019). The results reveal moderate utilization of milch animals across the tehsil but very low levels of value addition and processing in most revenue circles, indicating a structural gap between milk production and income realization. The study highlights the need for decentralized processing, stronger cooperative participation, and improved market connectivity to promote inclusive and sustainable dairy development in Shevgaon tehsil.
Jadhav et al. (2026) studied this question.