GOU – ECONOMICSCAN BE A GAME CHANGER OF RURAL ECONOMY TO INCREASE FARMERS’ INCOME
Proverbial ‘Goumata’ considered as harbinger of wealth has been our companion from the time man took to agriculture as a means of livelihood. Since then our society and economy has been largely agrarian. It is now veering away from it. In spite of this driftfarmers have remained as our ‘Annadata’.However, the agro-farmers and livestock farmerscontinue to remain poor though their contribution for a welfare society is more than anyone else. It issaidpeople and economy are robust when livestock is rich and healthy.Take alook atPunjab and Haryana with predominantly agrarian economy. The peopleare rich and healthy despite no mineral wealth or large industry worth mentioning. Coincidentally both have a rich and healthy livestock. Prosperityensued with hard work. We may ascribe it to the blessing of Goumata and Gou-economics. It is not the same in many other states. For decades, agriculture and allied sectors have been the mainstay of our economybutsadly the farmers – are on the street fighting for their share of morsel. Why so because they remained generally poor and unorganised in spite of hard labour and “Jai Jawan Jai Kishan” slogan.
Evidence from National Sample Survey indicates that for more than one-fifth of agricultural households with small landholding livestock are their principal source of income.A farmer withfew heads of cows or small ruminants is better able to withstand distress during seasonal variations and climate change.It is the general rural economic scenario in the country.Past strategy for development of agriculture and allied sectors has focussed primarily on increasing production to achieve food security. In the process though large farmers have benefitted yet the fate of small and marginal farmers with few heads of livestock- nearly two third of the rural community – did not change much and economic inequalities persisted.Numerically speaking livestock sector provides employment to about 8.8 % of the population and contributes about 6 % to the national GDP and 25.6 % of agriculture GDP.Much smaller countries like New Zealand, Scandinavian countries having much less cow population are opulent and hold major share in the dairy market worldwide. It is a paradox that India with a very large population of cows and buffaloes is not in picture dairy business though it is the largest producer of milk. Farmers remainlamentably poor. Therefore, the time is ripe to relook at the livestock development strategy to revitalise the present institutional set-up to face emerging challenges.
A consumption Expenditure Survey data for 2011-12 shows that farm households income below poverty line was highest in Jharkhand followed by Odisha and the least was in Punjab, Kerala and Haryana respectively. Farmers’ income remained low in relation to those working in the non-farming sector. The livestock farmers come under this category. This is a Pan-Indian phenomenon. The disparityremains and deterioration continues.The Prime Minister had stated on 28th February, 2016 at Bereilly,it is his dream to see farmers double their income by 2022 – the year the country completes 75 years of independence.
Therefore, it is relevant to discuss why the livestock farmers are poorer of the lot and find solutions.There is no shortcut or readymade panacea available. Varieties of factors have to be considered and addressed to raise income. Both farmers and government are major stakeholders in this exercise. We must first discern the problems which vary from region to region. There is a need to have a national policy frame worktoworkupon. Animal Husbandry being a state subject respective may have prerogative bring changes in the overall policy as per suitability.
In spite of vast livestock wealth, farmers live in hand to mouth situation. It can be attributed to the fact that livestock sector did not enjoy the priority in national planning it deserved despite its potential and that too when a sizeable population depended upon livestock for their livelihood. Therefore,it is imperative to mention the value output from livestock sector in Indian economy. Milk and milk products contributed (in million rupees at current prices) 3496720, meat and meat industry by-products 1066050, eggs 202510, dung (organic manure) 372340 and increment in stock 180150 according to Government of India source in 2012-13.In the intervening it must have gone a notch higher. Toincrease the farmers’ income through livestock sectorin real terms, there should an overhaul in livestock sector policy intervention which a common farmer can understand, accept and implement becauselivestock farmers believe in age-old traditional practices which needs to be upgraded to make itmore entrepreneurial.For its success there should be greater interface amongst all stake holders. Some of the problems are enumerated below.
- There is no adequate information and verifiable data on livestock farmers’ income in respect of fluctuations and growth in income. This could have been the foundation to chalk out strategies to increase income.
- Human and animal food demand is ever increasing. Urbanisation and land use for development work is reducing land availability for crop production. This affects livestock farming because crop and livestock farming complement each other. Climate change, water scarcity and degradation of soil fertility are added woes. Growing population also demands more animal protein. Though animals plough land and their manure are utilised for crop production utilisation of post harvest crop residues as animal feed is not reciprocal. It has affected the finely balanced system of food production. It has to be sustainable at both ends to make livestock production more remunerative.
- Milk comes from cows and she buffaloes though other small ruminants have a share in milk production.Most of meat comes from small ruminants and poultry and to certain extent pigs(in north eastern states). To produce milk and meataround 70% of the grains are used as livestock feed. It has been estimated that cattle alone consume about 40% of cereals being largest amongst livestock population. Incidentally India has the largest cattle population in the world and with many unproductive ones – a burden on the nation.
- To minimise dependence on cereals or other food grain ruminants can graze on pastures and eat hay, silage, enriched high-fibre crop residues. But livestock farmers do not take advantage of these alternatives. Moreover pasture land is shrinking due to human activities and in many villages adjacent to urban locations ‘gocharland’ all but vanished.Many livestock farmers do not grow green fodder integral to livestock production which could supplement grain requirement and reduce cost of production.
- Low level of income and disparity between a farmer and non-agricultural worker and non-remunerative price of animal products has led younger generation to turn their back on farming though luckily more people are now attracted towards livestock farming especially poultry farming. This is a streak ofsilver lining amidst otherwise a gloomy picture.
- In India to boost milk production and ameliorate poverty and to provide income to poor families crossbreeding programme was introduced few decades back. Thoughexotic cattle and their cross, which now number in millions, require high grade feed for milk production no commensurate programme was on the ground to compensate demand on feed ingredients.Therefore, animal farmers with their poor economic condition are not able to provide adequate nutrition with the consequence the production is not optimal. The owners of such stock with lowproduction cannot add to their income. Further such animals lack hardiness like indigenous stock and resistance to tropical conditions. Considering the constraints of rearing of exotic crosses government of India have decided to revert to breeding of cattle with high yielding indigenous breeds like Sahiwal, RedSindhi, Tharparkar and Gir etc as a national policy. As genetic up-gradation in cattle is a generation programme we have to wait several years more to harvest the dividend. This will again put pressure on the beleaguered livestock farmer.
- Livestock productivity being generally low could be attributed as the main cause of poverty as a farmer who puts in same amount labour could have higher dividend with better quality of animals. Breed improvement, better feed and nutrition, animal health management and better herd compositionare important attributes to raise livestock productivity.
- Coverage under Artificial Insemination in cattle is hardly 35 % andit hasto be substantially increased to have a higher population of improved animals.
- By and large our farmers employ low grade technology and it needs to be upgraded. The Departments of Animal Production of Veterinary Colleges have to device technologies to improve farm practices which can be adapted in smallholder system.
- However, the concept of a timeframe to double the farmers’income say by 2022 is somewhat not possible given the trend of inertia at all levels of execution but nonetheless we ought to have a timeline to reach thegoal.
It is widely accepted that livestock are ‘bank on foot’ and insurance for a rural family during financial distress. This apart, animal husbandry is more gender friendly as livestock are usually tended by women folk at home. Having said this, the livestock farmers under smallholder system need capacity buildingin management practices and to haveentrepreneurial ‘know how’.However,poor productivity of animals is the biggest bottleneck and could dampen growth of economy. Therefore, genetic improvement ofall farm animalsand breeding coverage is FOREMOST.
Feeding of concentrates is always an expensive proposition in dairy cattle rearing. Subsidy in cattle feed like fertiliser subsidy can bring down the cost of production and directly help the farmer to improve income.In some states farmers donot grow green fodder which if done could reduce the cost of maintenance appreciably. To encourage fodder cultivation government should provide either subsidy or soft loans by banks and hold orientation programme for dairy farmers in each block regularly. The present policy to prioritise milk production is not conducive for growth of livestock industry as a whole. It should be diversified according to topography, agro-climatic condition and farmer’s choice. For example dairy cows or buffaloes may not be profitable in tribal areas. Small ruminants or pigs/poultry could be could be the alternative.Value addition to dairy products, diversification, mixed farmingand greater stress on small animal production can bring home substantially more income. Production, marketing and income are interlinked. Technology transfer to improve quality and shelf life of all animal products should be a package in routine farm practice for all farmers to make livestock farmers more prosperous. There should be a marketing policy for livestock and livestock products to attract farmers to livestock trade and related business. As the food habits change with a booming urban population there shall be greater be greater demand for food of animal origin. This will also gradually percolate to the rural population as income augments. The elasticity market dynamics will play a greater role in increasing farmers’ income. Let the farming community grasp it.
Expanded market base with remunerative price must be ensured. Middlemen often exploit the farmers solely dependent on sheep and goat farming. Middlemen should be eliminated. Formation of Self Help Groupsfor marketing alone could mitigate the problem. The concept of cooperative models for all purposes related to livestock trade could enhance farmers’ income and bring about community wellness.Besides, such groups can manufacture feed to meet the local demand and alsoopen the door for small entrepreneurs. Startupsmay mushroom in rural areas to give a boost to rural economy. All said and done there is no substitute for hard work.
Finally a note of caution it is always easier said than done. A missionary zeal and perseverance is necessary to achieve success. Let’s remember Rome was not built in on day. Collective effortis necessary. Let the pioneer contribution of Padma Bibhusan late Vergese Kuriento improve the condition of impoverished livestock farmer be the guiding light.
Dr. Simant Kumar Nanda, M.V.Sc. Block Veterinary Officer AT/PO-Mathili Dist-Malkangiri State-Odisha Email Id- bvomathili@gmail.com Mob-9937500810
