By -Dr Arun Kumar Jha, President,JAWS, Jamshedpur
Abhishek Rai, Secretary,PAWSj, Jamshedpur
Cows, buffaloes and bulls are extremely useful for India’s agrarian economy. They have tremendous ecological and economical value while alive. If sent for slaughter, it is only the butcher and exporter who make money out of these animals. Since most of the slaughter is illegal, the proceeds generally go into funding criminal activities. This is well documented and has been discussed at several credible forums including the Observer Research Foundation. If kept alive and used for production of vermicompost and biogas, the entire village economy stands to gain. This concept has been articulated recently by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research in its report, ‘Dry Dairy Units – Management and Utilization of Unproductive Cattle of India’. India has the second largest cattle population in the world. According to the last Livestock Census conducted in 2012, India possesses a total of 190 million cattle. This same census has shown that 5.29 million cattle are stray and live on the streets.
The concept of dry dairy farming uses traditional methodologies for composting cow dung into manure, creation of biogas, preparation of biopesticides from cow urine and other innovative ecological initiatives. This module presents India with an opportunity to be the world’s first organic nation. It benefits society via skill development, employment, the availability of organic manure and green energy. It helps the animals by providing them with an earned retirement. It is essentially a win-win solution for all stakeholders. Dry dairies are spaces where bovines who can no longer lactate enough and male calves can be kept, given a sustenance diet and they can fuel the village, its fertilizer requirement and take India towards an organic future. It involves the creation of biogas plants and vermicompost pits to make sure that the energy requirements and fertilizer needs are sustainably met. It is a futuristic and scientific solution rooted in our culture. The dry dairy model presents an innovative solution in which the state and the animals greatly benefit.
Many states in India are currently facing drought-like situations, namely Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, Haryana and Chhattisgarh. The utilisation of chemical fertilizers on these lands only exacerbates the problems faced by the farmers as these chemicals dry the land and make farming in the future much harder. The chemical fertiliser industry is worth over Rs 70,000 crores and stands to be hit by this model. Vermicompost is sold for Rs 200 to Rs 500 for 10 kgs — this price can be brought down hugely and it can be made available to the average farmer. Much like Sikkim, every state can go organic. Much can be said about the health benefits to the average citizen who today for lack of options consumes food that has been grown with chemical fertilisers.
Our reliance on fossil fuels is causing huge environmental degradation. The case against fossil fuels has been tried and won and yet fossil fuels are in rampant use. In India, there is tremendous potential for biogas utilisation. The dry dairy report estimates that based on the availability of dung from 304 million cattle in India, over 18,240 million cubic meter of biogas can be generated annually. This biogas generation can fuel street lights or gas cylinders of entire villages.
This must not be left to non-government organisations or gaushalas who are underfunded and not as well organised as the government to achieve. The only way to sustainably connect bovines to organic farming and prevent illegal slaughter and smuggling of cows is for the government to make ‘cattle camps’ based on the dry dairy model, for every cluster of villages. These cattle camps can sell their produce to the department of agriculture at a minimum support price and use a part of the proceeds to feed the animals and for maintenance of these camps. Unless the dry dairy model is institutionalised, it will be near impossible to provide vermicompost, biogas and prevent illegal slaughter and smuggling of animals no matter how noble the government thinks their intentions are.
Although . it is very tough to make this DRY DAIRY model viable on self sustainable mode, hardly few Goushalas like Dewlapal go anushandhan Kendra has shown it viable. That’s why govt has come up with certain ideas and schemes related to DRY DAIRY concept just to safeguard the stray animals.
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT STRATEGIES TO TACKLE STRAY CATTLE PROBLEM–
Ever increasing number of cattle in general and cow and its progeny in particular, roaming on the streets of towns and cities as stray cattle is a serious menace to the environment, transport system and general living of people. It is a serious threat and challenge to society, which needs no elaboration. It is a country-wide problem, spreading from rural areas to metropolitan cities. It is also the crucial issue, generally put forward whenever the question of total ban on cow slaughter arises. Time and again, it has been said that stray cattle are indication of the fact that these are unfit and their rearing is uneconomic. That is why the owners just push them out on the ultimate journey to the slaughter-house. Thus, first, it is desirable to examine whether these so called ‘useless’ cattle are really useless. It has to be recognized that, in the general field of agriculture 70% of farmers are made up by small and marginal farmers, landless labourers and they have access to a total of 30% of the land in this country. By force of circumstances 67% of these people own livestock. The general pattern of this activity is that these livestock units are distributed in twos or threes, which are financially non-viable with their traditional ways. These are the persons who get rid of their cattle. The day these people come to understand the economic viability of their cattle – of even dry cows and old oxen – the problem of stray cattle will start vanishing.
It is revealed from the livestock census data that, out of the total cattle population, 190 million or say 92.7% cattle belong to indigenous breeds. Only (7.3%) cattle are of cross breeds. More than 96% cattle are in rural area as compared to 3.9% in urban areas. The main problem stems from the numbers of male cattle that are not used either for breeding or work and dry cows, together numbering about 30 million. Out of this number, say 96% so-called ‘useless’ cattle are in the rural areas, while less than 1 million in urban areas. Thus the problem basically lies in the rural areas. It may be noted that the number of ‘useless’ indigenous male cattle is decreasing, the annual growth rate between 1987 and 1992 being of the order of -10.58%
It is truly unfortunate that the cow and its progeny, which used to be the backbone of agriculture and village economy, are of very limited use now. The cow is meant only for milk and the bullocks have been replaced by tractors. This has caused problems. The pattern of land holdings in India also has particular significance in relation to the use of animal power on the farm. Out of a total of 50 million holdings, nearly 75 percent are two hectares or less. With the small size of holdings, the use of even small tractors becomes uneconomic apart from other disadvantages of providing fuel and other maintenance needs of these tractors. With a cultivated area of about 135 million hectares, the distribution of 160 million draft animals (including male buffaloes) is quite thin and gives an average of about 0.6 horse-power per hectare. As the optimum requirement of energy for efficient agricultural operations over 1 hectare varies from 1 to 1.5 horse-power, draft cattle in India provide less than half the desirable energy and almost the entire available energy needs of agriculture. It is, therefore, obvious that Indian agriculture is deficient in total energy input and gets most of its energy input for farm operations from animal power and it would be a great folly to not develop this source of energy further. While draft animals are used mainly for agriculture operations they are also a useful source of energy for shallow irrigation through Persian wheels and other ways of lifting water from dug wells. In the present state of road linkages of villages to market places and with the consequences of higher oil imports the obvious means of transportation for men and material in large parts of the country still continues to be the animal driven cart.
Now, it is a well-recognised fact that regular use of chemical fertilizers leads to a situation when land ultimately becomes totally unproductive and barren. On the other hand, organic manures provide most of the minor nutrients of soil and add to its fertility. Successful experiments have been done in Vidarbh area of Maharashtra where about 2600 farmers have switched over to bio-fertilizers. Data collected has shown that the cost of organic manure was Rs 300 to 400 per acre as against Rs 2000/- per acre on chemical fertilizers. The crop was also better, qualitatively and quantitatively. A survey had been got conducted by Akhil Bhartiya Krishi Goseva Sangh, Vardha. The respondents were mainly small and marginal farmers who made the best use of cow dung and cow urine in their fields, in place of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Thus bio-fertilizers (Farm Yard Manure, Nadep, Vermi-compost prepared from cow dung), bio-pesticides (cow urine and its preparations), bio-energy (Methane gas from Bio-gas plants), Panch-gavya medicines and use of oxen as draught animals, can prove rearing of even so called ‘useless’ cattle as economically viable. (Calculations and analysis of this concept dealt with in detail under the heading ‘Bio-products of Cattle- organic manure and cow urine medicines’, gas, electricity.)
Recommendations – Strategies for dealing with stray and ‘so-called’ useless or dry cattle—————–
In this background, the strategies to tackle the problem of Stray Cattle have to be implemented at all levels and as a combined effort of various agencies. The following strategies are recommended for the purpose.
A. Establishment of Village gosadans————–
Village Gosadans should be established in the manner proposed below:—-
1) Each village should have one Gosadan to take care of the stray cattle of the area. Also the seasonal left-outs can be accommodated therein.
2) The Gosadan has to be managed by the village community, with full involvement of the Village Panchayat. A ‘Gosadan Committee’ can be constituted in the meeting of Gram Sabha comprising persons from all walks of life. Technical persons such as from agriculture and veterinary side should invariably be co-opted on this committee. The State governments are required to make provisions regarding constitution of ‘Gosadan Committees’ in their respective Panchayati Raj Acts.
3) 100 acres of land or as per availability, be attached to the Gosadan. Gram Panchayat can do it as in most of the States, grazing lands (gochar bhumi) are within their jurisdiction. This land can serve not only as the grazing ground but also as the source of green and dry fodder to some extent.
4) The problem of unauthorised occupations on the ‘Charagah’ or Gochar lands can be taken care of by ‘fast track courts.’
5) In the villages where ‘charagah’ land is not sufficient, the wastelands can be converted for development of grass and fodder trees. Waste lands could be converted into fertile lands by various convergent natural nutrients prepared by ‘gobar-gomutra- chhach, Amritpani’ etc.
6) While arrangement of such land should be the responsibility of the revenue agencies, maintenance part may be entrusted to the Village Panchayat. Some sort of mechanism should be developed for linking the maintenance of Charagah land with the grants-in-aid given to a particular Gram Panchayat.
7) As the Gosadan will take care of the stray cattle, which otherwise could have caused damages to the standing crops of the village farmers, it should be mandatory for every farmer to donate one trolley of fodder and one bag of cereals to the Gosadan at the crop harvesting time. Of course, it can be in proportion to the agricultural land area possessed by the village farmers. Such an experiment is being tried successfully in Bazzuwala village of Sriganganagar district of Rajasthan in a voluntary way.
8) The Go-sadan, so established, can be developed into breeding centre of good local indigenous breeds. It can also develop good breed bulls, meant for service of the whole village.
9) To augment its resources, the go-sadan can prepare bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides, which can be sold to local farmers at very concessional rates. Thus, there would not be any problem of marketing for the products of Gosadan.
10) Go-sadan can have a bio-gas plant of a suitable size to take care of its energy requirements for fuel, light and water pumping. Agencies like K.V.I.C., DRDAS and Non-Conventional Energy Development agencies can assist these Go-sadans in establishing Bio-gas plants.
11) No cash subsidy should be given to these Go-sadans. Instead H.R.D. training and provision of infrastructure should be there. In fact, it should be an independent enterprise. Let the village own it after having a considered view on the importance of the Gosadan in their village economy.
12) ‘Organisation of Gosadans’ be added to the list of 29 subjects for District Plan in the 11th Schedule at the end of 73rd Amendment Act.
13) In the proposals prepared at Gram Panchayat and Block level, plans for organisation of Gosadans included in the district plans, should be taken up on priority.
14) Public contributions and donations from individuals and organisations will be the main source of funding for organisations of Gosadans. As it would be an important institution for rural development, funds may be earmarked for establishment of gosadans in the M.P. and M.L.A. quotas also.
The proposed Village Gosadans will be different from the Gosadans proposed by Sardar Datar Singh Committee in many ways, as mentioned under:
Comparison of ‘Gosadan’ Concepts of
Datar Singh Committee (1947) National Commission on Cattle (2002)
(i) Big size organisation involving 4000 (i) A small village level institution having stray
acres of land and 2000 cattle cattle of only gram panchayat area, and land of 100 acres or as per availability
(ii) A Government-run institution (ii) An institution run by Community participation
(iii) Involved only expenditure (iii) Also income by way of bio-gas, bio- fertilizers, bio-pesticides, panch-gavya medicines, breed improvement, bull service and also milk.
(iv) Totally based on governmental (iv) Community funding in form of fodder and feed,
funding no cash subsidy, governmental assistance in form of infrastructure and H.R.D.
(v) Functioning in isolation (v) Linkages with ‘Krishi Go-vigyan Anusandhan Kendras, research organisations, agriculture and veterinary extension units.
(vi) 50 years back there was no (vi) Organic farming is call of the day, lot of awareness of scientific use of cow dung research is being done on cowdung and cow urine
and cow urine, no thought for exploring to make them basis for economic viability of so new avenues. called ‘useless’ cattle.
vii) ‘Gosadan’ then was a sectoral function vii) Establishment of Gosadan, now, will be part of allotted to a particular department the District Plan.
Datar Singh Committee (1947) National Commission on Cattle (2002)
i)
(i) Big size organisation involving 4000
acres of land and 2000 cattle
A small village level institution having stray cattle of only gram panchayat area, and land of 100 acres or as per availability
ii) A Government-run institution An institution run by Community participation
iii)
Involved only expenditure
Also income by way of bio-gas, bio- fertilizers, bio-pesticides, panch-gavya medicines, breed improvement, bull service and also milk.
iv)
Totally based on governmental funding
(iv) Community funding in form of fodder and feed,no cash subsidy, governmental assistance in form of infrastructure and H.R.D.
v)
Functioning in isolation
Linkages with ‘Krishi Go-vigyan Anusandhan Kendras, research organisations, agriculture and veterinary extension units.
vi)
50 years back there was no and cow urine, no thought for exploring avenues
Organic farming is call of the day, lot of awareness of scientific use of cow dung research is being done on cowdung and cow urine to make them basis for economic viability of so new avenues. called ‘useless’ cattle.
vii)
‘Gosadan’ then was a sectoral function
Establishment of Gosadan, now, will be part of allotted to a particular department the District Plan.
In the light of above facts, the Commission is confident that the proposed ‘Village Gosadans’ will have very many more chances of succeeding than did the Gosadans envisaged by the Datar Singh Committee.
B. Establishment of Cow Sanctuaries————
It is proposed that Cow Sanctuaries be established in each of the States, as per details below:
1) In every State there are big patches of land lying unused and unoccupied. Such lands can be developed into Cow Sanctuaries. All the stray cattle of the adjoining cities and towns may be accommodated therein. Thus, if Gosadans will take care of stray cattle in rural areas, Cow Sanctuaries will help cities in getting rid of the ever-increasing problem of stray cattle.
2) Preferably, the land for a Cow Sanctuary should be earmarked in semi-forest or culturable waste lands which, with some efforts, can easily be developed into grazing land. Plantation of fodder-trees of different varieties suited to the topography and climatic conditions of the area will also be required. The State Forest Department can act as the nodal agency for developing vegetative cover in the Cow Sanctuary area.
3) The State Government may set apart land for the purpose and provide it to the managing agency on lease basis.
4) Transportation of stray cattle from towns / cities to the Cow Sanctuaries will be the responsibility of the concerned local body such as Municipal Corporation, Council and Nagar Palika etc.
5) Average size of a Cow Sanctuary may be around 500 hectares. Out of it 350 to 400 hectares of land be earmarked for natural and fodder grasses. Veterinary unit, a few cowsheds, living quarters for care takers, Bio-gas plant(s) and Bio-Fertilizer-pesticide units may be arranged in the Sanctuary.
6) The land earmarked for Cow Sanctuaries will require to be fenced by barbed wire to ensure that the cows live and graze in the earmarked territory and are secure from wild animals.
7) Adequate arrangements will require to be made in the earmarked area for drinking water and the fodder. In the initial phase of the project, cows may require to be fed by transporting fodder from outside.
8) Management of Cow Sanctuary may be entrusted with some non-government organisation of repute having experience in Cow culture and organic farming. The governmental aid should restrict itself to infrastructure and HRD. Of course, veterinary facilities and technical assistance for scientific use of cow dung, cow urine and carcass from the concerned governmental agencies must be ensured.
9) Maintenance of Cow Sanctuary may prove burdensome in the first few years. Later on, availability of grazing grasses and trees will start providing fodder. Bio-Fertilizers, Bio-pesticides and Bio-energy produced from cow dung and cow urine will also be source of income. Till such time, donations from individuals and organisations, along with grants-in-aid from the organisations like Animal Welfare Board of India may prove valuable helping hands.
C. Establishment of Cattle Colonies————–
51. Some of the Cow Sanctuaries should be selected for developing as Cattle Colonies as per details given below:
1) Out of the Cow Sanctuaries to be established as suggested above, the suitable ones can be used for developing Cattle Colonies. Cattle Colonies would be the areas with sufficient natural and fodder grasses where milk-cows can be kept.
2) On an average, a ranch of 500 hectares may be sufficient to sustain 250 milch cows and 50 ‘Gopalak’ families.
3) In addition to milk production, economic viability of these colonies can be ensured through proper use of dung and urine etc.
4) Energy from Bio-gas plant(s), Cottage industries based on Cow products (dung-urine) and Panchagavya will augment the income of Gopalaks of the Cattle Colony.
5) They may also be developed as Breeding Centres for local indigenous breeds, which would provide bulls to farmers in the adjoining areas for breeding purposes.
6) Cattle Colonies may be linked primarily with Dairy Development agencies along with other rural development organisations of the State.
7) Management of these Cattle Colonies be done by co-operative societies with maximum participation of ‘Gopalaks’.
D. Establishment of National Cattle Colony in Jaisalmer area———-
In view of the special qualities and climatic conditions of the Jaisalmer area in Rajasthan, it is proposed that this area be developed as a National Cattle Colony.—
1) Jaisalmer, the largest District of Rajasthan, covers 38,401 sq. Km. area and lies on the Indian part of Thar desert. The topography of this district is heterogeneous e.g. barren rocky area, shifting sand-dunes, sandy plains, saline flats, alluvial flats, dead streams and hills. As a result of the agro-climatic conditions, agriculture is low-key (10-15%) in Jaisalmer. Grazing-based animal husbandry has been the predominant occupation in major part of the District.
2) Geologically, major part of the District is hard pan area. Because of hard rocks just beneath the mantle of sandy layer, the area is unable to absorb water. That is the reason why the area has been able to sustain thick natural grass constantly in spite of scanty rainfall.
3) The natural grass cover of Jaisalmer District is typified by Lasiurus Sindicus (Sewan) and Panicum turgidum (Murat) grass species. Out of the total grass production, Sewan grass alone contributes more than 80 percent. This grass species is the basis of life in this desert region and there is no other comparable grass species in the deserts of the world. It is a perennial, tufted, highly drought-resistant variety, with high quality of palatable forage. The species is endemic to north region of India and confined to Barmer, Jaisalmer and Bikaner, but maximum area is covered in Jaisalmer district. It has strong roots, which can sustain continuous drought of 6-7 years and more. It has a very compact and vigorous root system and a single plant occupies more than 10m3, with very high moisture-uptake efficiency. With onset of rains, it turns lush green and sets seed within 45 days, the stage at which it has the highest nutritional value. The crude protein contents at this stage remains around 14 percent and even at dried stage it remains between 6-8 percent.
4) Sewan is completely adopted to the local eco-system. The Tharparkar, Sindhi and Rathi breed varieties of cow prefer Sewan to any other grass. The species is drought-resistant for 7 years, and requires minimum water for maximum growth, which means cost-effective irrigation. The storage life of processed grass is at least 10 years.
5) It has been concluded at many forums, through studies undertaken in the area, that the hardpan area is not suitable for irrigation. If the area is irrigated by Canal for development of agriculture, it will get inundated and spoiled. That is the reason why agriculture in Indira Gandhi Canal command area has not been a success story in Jaisalmer district.
6) Keeping all such factors in view the Central Govt. may consider to develop a ‘National Cattle Colony’ in the Sevan grass area of Jaisalmer district. Good indigenous breeds of cattle like Tharparkar may be kept there.
7) It will be a National Project with all R&D facilities concentrating on development of good indigenous breeds, rich fodder grass, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, bio-energy and various small industries based on panchagavya and other cow milk products.
8) With a view to implement the project successfully, the whole area can be subdivided into smaller units. According to the revenue records, a big stretch of 22,16,527 hectares of land is lying as wasteland. A sizable part of this wasteland is covered by the Sewan grass as a natural vegetation. It can be developed in other parts also. The District Administration reported that it has been successfully experimented at 47 sites during the last 15 years under the pasture development programme. List of these sites is placed at annexure VIII. Thus, even if half of the wasteland, say 10,00,000 hectares of land is put under the project, it will change the face of the District’s economy. The ‘Golden Grass Yojana’ experimented jointly by the State Animal Husbandry department and the DRDA Jaisalmer in Mohangarh area and a similar scheme carried out by the Regional Centre of CAZRI (Central Arid Zone Research Institute) suggest economic viability of such a project in the light of income from milk, sale of bulls, products of cow dung, cow-urine and Bio-gas etc.
9) One unit of 1000 hectares may sustain 500 adult cows and 100 families. 80% of the land should be devoted to cultivation of Sewan grass, while remaining 20% be used for the purpose of green fodder, cowsheds, living houses, orchards and growth of medicinal plants etc. The local experience informs that the Khejri, a local drought-resistant fodder tree, and Sewan grass have very good combination. Khejri, in fact, adds to the fertility of the soil. Thus, thousands of Khejri trees have to be planted in the pastureland. Water supply for sprinklers can be arranged through tube-wells dug for the purpose or from the Indira Gandhi Canal. If managed properly, the per-hectare output of Sewan grass, with 4-5 cuttings in a year, may be 10 to 12 tons. Likewise, one fully-grown Khejri tree may provide 50 kg. dry fodder in a year.
10) The project ‘ National Cattle Colony’ may be taken up in phases with the ultimate goal of 1000 units, each unit of 1000 hectares. Thus, it would be a huge colony giving shelter to 5 lakh adult cows and 1 lakh Gopalak families.
11) The Cattle Colony will be managed by participating farmers, lease holder individuals, organisations, industrial units, co-operative societies, NGO’s, sectoral departments and any other agency, genuinely interested in the pasture development and cow rearing.
12) When fully developed, this National Cattle Colony would meet a major part of the milk requirements of the western India. It will be a unique example of environment-friendly cattle-based and self-contained villages with potential employment opportunities.
Eco-Friendly Cow based Village Development Scheme: A blue print———–
Sincere efforts are being made for organic revolution in different sectors but there is so much compartmentalization that the target group i.e. villagers stand confused and directionless. It is, thus, the need of the day to create proper awareness amongst the village community in regard to an integrated approach for ‘Eco-friendly Cow based Village Development Scheme’, which takes care of all concerns viz. organic farming, water management, Bio-energy, village industry, animal welfare, vegetative cover, freedom from pollution and social & cultural enlightenment of the village. Water Management, crops, fodder, Bio-energy, village industry or social enlightenment of the village may look different in vernacular but in reality they are the segments of the one and the same ‘whole’. In a nutshell, it is a pragmatic approach for not only sustainable development of the village or rural poor but also a blueprint for protection of cow and its progeny. It is a practical way for re-establishing the role of cow and its progeny in the rural economy. The scheme envisages the creation of a model village, which will act as a catalytic agent in the area. In the first phase, a few villages can be taken up in every Region / State.
An Outline of the Blueprint for the ‘Eco-Friendly Cow Based Village Development Scheme’
1. Basic Objectives:—–
i) To promote Eco-friendly organic farming
ii) To create employment opportunities using local resources
iii) To encourage village artisans, promote cottage industries and develop their backward & forward linkages.
iv) To create awareness among the village community for a pollution free environment.
2. Goal:
Sustainable development of the village; its rejuvenation in regard to self-employment and self sufficiency.
3. Identification of village :
i) Proximity
ii) Goshala’s Co-ordination
iii) Affirmation of Gram Panchayat
iv) Enthusiasm of village community
4. Awareness creation
i) Goshala functionaries
ii) Sectoral extension at the village level
iii) Village community
iv) N.G.O.’s and other concerned agencies
5. Activity Focus
i) Water management
ii) Organic farming
iii) Self employment opportunities (village industries)
iv) Vegetative cover and pollution
v) Social & cultural enlightenment
i) Water Management
Thrust:
• Proper assessment of requirement and availability of drinking water
• Maximum and best possible use of water in agriculture and allied activities
• Raising underground water level
Strategy:
• Conserve surface water run-off during monsoons
• Revival of traditional systems for storage of rain-water
• Arrest underground water declines through artificial recharge
Interventions:
• Observation and intensive study of behavioural patterns of natural flow of rain-water
• Deepening of village ponds for additional storage capacity.
• Construction of cement-plugs and check-dams
• Pucca water channels or P.V.C. pipes for irrigating the fields
• In the areas with higher gradient lining of fields with walls across the slope to check the flow of water and soil-erosion
• Artificial recharge through:
(a) Percolation tanks
(b) Cement-plugs/check-dams
(c) Rooftop rainwater harvesting through injection wells
ii) Organic Farming
Thrust:
• Popularise and assist eco-friendly organic farming
• Minimise the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
Strategy:
• Create awareness among the villagers in regard to role and importance of cow progeny in the village economy
• Undertake action research projects in the field of organic manures and pesticides.
• Training and demonstration on the adverse effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and advantages of organic farming along with manufacturing of Bio-manures and pesticides.
Interventions:
To popularise organic farming, interventions have to be taken up at two levels:
(a) At Family Level
• Each family to have cow, bullock, calf etc. In other words, each family to have its own Goshala.
• Cluster of 3 – 4 families to have:
One common Biogas Plant
Nadep compost pits (Number as per availability of cow-dung and their requirement)
Vermi Compost pits (as per requirement)
Arrangement to prepare pesticides using the urine of their cows.
• Such arrangement will take care of:
i) Milk, Curd, ‘Chhachh’, ghee etc.
ii) Cooking gas and light for all the member families
iii) Organic manure and pesticides for their fields
iv) Draughts animals for their fields and transport
v) Occupation/Employment for the unemployed or less-employed persons of the member families.
(b) At Village Level:
• Each village to have one Gosadan accommodating all stray and surplus cows (during non lactation period) of the community.
• Gosadan to function as a breeding centre to develop goods breeds of cows and bullocks suiting to local conditions
• Gosadan will have arrangements for manufacturing:
i) Nadep compost
ii) Vermi Compost
iii) Organic pesticides
• Goshala products will be sold for compensating labour of the landless persons who are put on the Job as an employment.
iii) Self-Employment Opportunities
Thrust:
• Developing cottage/village industries to create additional employment opportunities for the village youth.
Strategy:
• Identification of the natural resources available within the village and adjoining areas providing input (raw materials etc.) for the prospective village industries such as Ago-based, forest based, mineral based, Chemical based, Non-conventional energy based or the Service industries involving traditional village craftsmanship. Cow-dung and cow urine be taken up as the raw material for organic manure and pesticide village industry.
• Identification of unemployed persons within the village community, who are capable of running the aforesaid industries.
• Assessment of requirement and availability of power resource(s) to run these village industries.
Interventions:
• Assignment of the industries to person(s), keeping in view their capability and capacity to take up partial financial burden. (Free gifts do not germinate involvement).
• Arranging financial assistance from the concerned Governmental or Non-governmental agencies.
• Organise training for various vocations.
• Develop a system of monitoring and review at the level of Village Dev. Committee.
iv) Vegetative Cover and Pollution
Thrust:
• Maximum Vegetative cover
• Minimum pollution
Strategy:
• Discouraging wooden fuel for domestic purpose
• Effective prohibition on tree cutting
• Afforestation
• Safeguarding the village charagah
Interventions:
• Outlet of domestic water to be used for plantation along the village streets
• Motivating farmers to grow trees on their fields
• Social forestry on waste lands by the community
• Creation of awareness regarding the necessity of charagah for the village economy.
v) Social and Cultural Enlightenment
Thrust:
• Education, human-values, sense of citizenship, health, gender, folk culture.
Strategy:
• Elementry education for all
• Special emphasis on women empowerment
• Provision of sanitation and health facilities
• Arranging community/street lights
• Linkage of the village with other places through the means of transport and communication.
• Reviving the traditional village cultural forums such as sat-sang, kirtan, folk music, folk
• art etc.
• Encouraging traditional village games
Interventions:
• Starting primary/upper primary school, Jan-shikshan Nilayam with the assistance of concerned governmental agency.
• Extension of medical facilities to the village through health worker, ANM, dispensary, etc.
• If conditions are favourable, the village Gosadan can also develop its own cow-therapy wing using Panch-gavya medicines.
• Non-conventional energy units for street-lights to be set up with the assistance of concerned agency.
• Submitting proposals for road and telephone linkage to the concerned department.
• Starting yearly cultural activities to motivate local participation and encourage folk music, dance, art and village games.
6. Pre requisites
As it has to be a micro-plan based integrated development scheme, the following prerequisites are desirable.
1) Organisation of a village development committee
2) Village survey & data collection (Formats at annexure-1 and 2)
3) Analysis of existing development programmes
4) Co-ordination with other governmental and non-governmental agencies involved in the development process
7. Plan Formulation
On the basis of data gathered through surveys and village records, village plan will be formulated having special emphasis on the following.
1) Plan cost : Intervention wise
2) Funding source(s)
3) Fund flow
4) Implementing agency
5) Time frame
6) Monitoring and review
Reference:On request.
