Abstract:
Current study was carried out in four divisional secretariats of Kilinochchi district to study
the consumption pattern and preferences for milk and dairy products. Out of 45,016
households 1000 households were selected using table of random numbers. Information on
consumption pattern and preferences for milk and dairy products by the consumers were
collected using structured questionnaires. Data were processed using Microsoft Excel 2007
and analyzed using Proc frequency and Chi-square test. Overall around 38% of the
households relied on their own source of milk for consumption; in the Kandavali and
Poonagary divisional secretariats around 50% of the households relied on their own source of
milk. Source of milk from cattle, goat and both averaged to around 76%, 8% and 16%,
respectively. Overall consumption pattern of major milk and dairy products viz. was milk
powder (26%), yoghurt (19%), fresh milk (15%), curd (14%), flavored milk (11%) and ghee
(6%). Consumption level of other dairy products such as cheese, butter and milk toffee
averaged to around 3%. Overall reasons for not taking milk for family consumption was do
not like to drink milk (73%), insufficient income (20%) and fear of contamination (7%). Chi
square test revealed significant association between milk and dairy products and preference
order. Most of the households gave first preference for fresh milk (73%) and milk powder
(68%) on a nine scale preference order. Most of the households showed a preference order of
2 nd (52%) and 3rd (37%) for curd. Significant percentage of households showed preferences
for yoghurt, pasteurized milk, cheese, butter, ghee and milk toffee. Fresh milk consumption
percentage of 15% is not an appreciable figure; hence, measures should be taken to
encourage households to take milk for family consumption as well. Consumption pattern
trend of various dairy products will pave way for value addition to milk and generate
employment opportunities in the dairy value chain in the study area.
