The study was undertaken in Kumaon division of Uttarakhand state of India with the objective of estimating technical efficiency in milk production across different herd-size category households and factors influencing it. Total of 60 farm households having representation from different herd-size categories drawn from six randomly selected villages of plain and hilly regions of the division constituted the ultimate sampling units of the study. Stochastic frontier production function analysis was used to estimate the technical efficiency in milk production. Multivariate regression equations were fitted taking technical efficiency index as the regressand to identify the factors significantly influencing technical efficiency in milk production. The study revealed that variation in output across farms in the study area was due to difference in their technical efficiency levels. However, it was interesting to note that smallholder producers were more technically efficient in milk production than their larger counterparts, especially in the plains. Apart from herd size, intensity of market participation had significant and positive impact on technical efficiency in the plains. This provides definite indication that increasing the level of commercialization of dairy farms would have beneficial impact on their production efficiency.

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A b s t r a c t A r t i c l e I n f oSeed treatment refers to the application of certain agents physical, chemical or biological to the seed prior to sowing in order to suppress, control or repel pathogens, insects and other pests that attack seeds, seedlings or plants and it ranges from a basic dressing to coating and pelleting. Losses in seed quality occur during field weathering, harvesting and storage. Rapid deterioration occurs due to these environmental conditions make very difficult to maintain its viability during storage. Invigouration treatments that include both presowing and pre storage treatments. Pre sowing that includes Infusion, Fortification and Osmopriming with various bioactive chemicals, are known to improve the seed performance. Pre storage includes Pelleting and hardening proved to be very effective for seed vigour. Lack of awareness to seed treatments at farmer's level is one of the limiting factors in its management and therefore efforts should be made at farmer's level to contain the technology. Keeping the all above facts in mind, selected seed treatment technologies with their improvement and significance will be discussed in this review.