CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DAIRY FARMING IN INDIA
Dr. Smruti Smita Mohapatra
Research Fellow,
Verghese Kurien Centre of Excellence,
IRMA, Anand, Gujarat
Keywords
Dairy farming, Socio-economy, Ration balancing, Ethnoveterinary practices, Milk hygiene, Sex sorted semen technology, Human resources, Entrepreneurship
India is an agrarian economy. Livestock sector plays a major role in rural economy of the country. Animal husbandry and dairy farming are the main economic activities of the livestock farmers in India since ages. With the lowest possible investment per unit, livestock sector has the highest potential for the generation of employment in rural areas. The largest measurable success of dairy farmers is the unprecedented growth of incomes which attributes to higher value the livestock farmers earn due to the good management practices for sustainable dairy farming in India.
Challenges for the sustainable dairy farming in India
- Socio-economic challenges
It has been observed that all the commercial dairy farmers get the training in dairy farming either from the state Dairy Development Board or the state agricultural universities before they enter into profession. It may be due to two reasons – firstly a good practical training and experience in dairy farming will be highly desirable and secondly training is mandatory to get subsidized loan to set up a commercial dairy farm. Constraints in adoption of breeding practices due to low level of education, inadequate facilities of AI centre, high prices of the imported semen straw, unsatisfactory results of AI, lack of staff at government hospitals and inexperienced staff at AI centres seem to be the major challenges.
- Constraints in adoption of modern technology
Constraints in adoption of good technology while feeding practices, high price of concentrate mixture, non-availability of input for production and enrichment of green fodder, non-availability of concentrates and mineral mixture in villages, constraints in adoption of housing practices, increased manpower, lack of training, lack of capital, high cost of construction, lack of sufficient floor space for bringing in new technology to the farm, inconvenience practice pose major constraints in adoption of milking practices. There is a need to educate the farmers about enrichment of fodder as well as balanced and economical feed preparation. The reasons for low adoption of improved housing practices for dairy farming were lack of capital followed by high cost of construction and lack of sufficient space. High capital demand is a major constraint in adoption of modern housing practices. Low knowledge level, high cost of construction and lack of sufficient space were main constraints in adoption of improved housing practices. High capital and high cost of construction are always an issue for farmers when they want to start a dairy as enterprise.
Strategies for the sustainable dairy farming in India
Good management practices (GMP) are the major requisite for sustainable dairy farming in India. Good management practices include:
- Health status of the animal
The health status of an animal can be judged by the observation of basic health parameters and body scoring. Observation of basic health parameters includes breathing frequency, rumination, rumen movement, appearance and fever. A general awareness on the symptoms of common poisoning conditions helps the dairy farmer in seeking timely treatment. There are a large number of plant and chemical agents that cause poisoning in dairy animals such as gossypol, cyanide and organophosphorus. Some of them are fatal in nature if left untreated.
- Animal nutrition
Feeding is an important aspect of dairy farming. Nutrition accounts for around 70% of total cost of milk production. Different types of dietary feed ingredients for dairy cows and buffaloes include concentrates such as compound cattle feed, oil cakes, grains and grain byproducts like brans and chunnies, cultivated green fodders and grasses, crop residues like straws and stovers. Ration balancing programme (RBP), compound cattle feed, bypass protein feed, mineral mixture, urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) as a feed supplement, fresh drinking water, preparation of total mixed ration (TMR) for cow, seasonal/perennial fodder cultivation, fodder seed production, azolla cultivation and crop residue enrichment are the important aspects of animal nutrition.
- Animal healthcare
Minimum vaccination coverage of 80% of population is required for proper control of the animal diseases. It is imperative to deworm the animals 2-3 weeks before vaccination is carried out for better immune response. Vaccination should be carried out at least one month prior to the likely occurrence of the disease. Animals should be in good health at the time of vaccination. The cold chain of the vaccines should be maintained till the time of administration to the animal. The manufacturers’ instructions on the route and dosage should be strictly followed.
- Adoption of the ethnoveterinary practices
Both external (tick and flies) and internal parasites (worms) cause a remarkable decline in the production potential of the dairy animal. Worms inside the body drain the animal of valuable nutrients. Infestations with worms lead to poor growth rate, diarrhoea, delayed maturity, weakness, increased susceptibility to infection, low response to vaccination and in severe cases, may lead to death. Awareness in controlling the external and internal parasites goes a long way in harnessing the production potential of the animal. Thus the traditional remedies have been used for ages by the farmers to manage minor ailments in their livestock. The knowledge of some alternative form of medicine such as ethnoveterinary practices can manage minor ailments till such time veterinary aid is sought. This is important to the dairy farmers especially in the areas where animal healthcare services are not readily available.
- Clean milk production
Complete full hand milking/fisting is the best method of milking under hygienic conditions. Storage and preservation of milk in a dairy farm is essential till it moves out and reaches the markets for sale. Hand milking or machine milking can be decided as per the size of the dairy herd.
- Selective breeding
Selective breeding of cattle and buffalo to increase milk production has made commendable progress in certain areas. In order to increase the dairy production in our country, there is a need to increase the production potential of non-descript local animals through scientific methods like crossbreeding. Along with this, improving the milk production potential of indigenous breeds in their native breeding tracts is also equally important. Progeny testing (PT) and Pedigree Selection (PS) coupled with Artificial Insemination (AI) and milk recording have been identified as activities leading to steady genetic progress. For a profitable milk business, it is necessary for the cow/buffalo to calve every 1 to 1.5 years. Awareness on the various aspects of breeding such as signs of heat, proper time of insemination, drying off a milking animal, normal calving, dystocia, infertility and its management of infertility, progeny Testing (PT), pedigree selection (PS) and sex sorted semen technology is necessary.
- Responsible workforce
Ensuring appropriate tasks in the farm, procedures and safety of dairy animals by hardworking and competent team in a dairy farm paves a long way for the successful entrepreneurship by implementation of sustainable work practices. Animal housing and herd management through lighting, ventilation, insulation, humidity and temperature are important to avoid cold/heat stress in winter and summer by the dairy farmers.
Conclusion
Livestock insurance, regular guidance from the veterinarians and various awareness and skill training programmes on management for dairy farmers can lead to sustainable dairy farming in India. A stable market, availability of resources, better pricing, repair facility of the technology and uninterrupted supply of feed and reliable veterinary services will pave a way to overcome the challenges for sustainable dairy farming in India.
https://www.pashudhanpraharee.com/challenges-solutions-of-dairy-sector-in-india/
http://www.isca.in/rjrs/archive/v2/iISC-2012/9.ISCA-ISC-2012-1AFS-33.pdf
