Low Productivity of Indian Dairy Animals: Challenges & Mitigation Strategies

Low Productivity of Indian Dairy Animals: Challenges & Mitigation Strategies

Sachin Kumar

Under Graduate student

CVSc&AH, BAU, Ranchi

Introduction

India has the highest number of cattle and buffaloes in the world and now produces more milk than the United States, making it the world’s largest milk producer. India presently contributes 22% of global milk production. Unlike most other countries, India produces more than half of its milk from buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), with indigenous cows (Bos indicus) and crossbred cows coming in second and third.  The population of bovines in India is 303.76 million (193.45 million cattle and 110 million buffalo), with approximately 142.11 million being indigenous and non-descript, resulting in low lactation production. India produces a lot of milk, but not much milk per animal, despite having a large population of livestock.

Top 10 Largest Milk Producing Countries in the World

Source:- FAOSTAT

India produces more milk than any other country in the world, yet its dairy animals are not very productive. The rising consumption resulting from population expansion and rising income levels is one of the main drivers of the dairy business in India. The state’s increasing expenditures in milk processing facilities meet the strong demand for dairy products. Small and marginal dairy producers support a sizable portion of this business.

Challenges

The cost of feeding an animal accounts for 70% of the total cost of production. Underfeeding dairy cattle diminishes milk production and limits their genetic potential. Dairy cattle need to be fed the right proportion of vitamins and minerals. Animals in the zero input-low output category of animal management systems are prone to illness. Productivity cannot be increased unless breeding occurs at the appropriate period. Temperature-humidity variations can create stress in animals, affecting milk production directly. Although there are considerable welfare concerns around cattle transportation and slaughter, there has been comparatively little would have a direct impact on milk output. While there are concerns about the welfare of cattle during transportation and slaughter, there has been less focus on the welfare of cattle during their whole life cycle. This may be due to research gaps and the Indian animal welfare sector’s lack of focus on  dairy cattle welfare. However, a decentralized, small-holding dairy strategy has “benign”  welfare implications compared to a production-focused model. It’s important to keep in mind that, in the current context, milk production serves as  a supplement to other agricultural endeavors for farmers, and that the Indian government  sees the industry more as a tool for rural development and poverty alleviation than as a  means of maximizing production and contributing to the country’s gross national product.

Climate change provides a serious obstacle to India’s livestock industry development.  Climate change is expected to increase temperatures by 2.3 to 4.8°C across the country,  causing heat stress in dairy animals. Reduced feed intake due to heat stress is linked to a decline in milk output. Additionally, heat stress increases the population of vectors, which in turn enhances the spread of diseases carried by vectors. This will negatively impact their productivity and  reproductive performance, limiting the area where high-yielding dairy cattle can be reared economically. Climate change is expected to negatively influence Indian agriculture, causing feed and fodder shortages that could harm dairy production.

Due to the lack of compensation for culling unwell cows, farmers are faced with a difficult situation when managing stray cows.  Consequently, they might discard them on the street or sell them to another farmer, thus spreading diseases. Through an increase in the denominator, this phenomenon has been demonstrated to have a considerable effect on cow productivity. Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India did a study to determine the effect of diseases on cow productivity utilizing data from 504 livestock owners. Significant differences (p<0.01) in milk reduction between diseases were revealed by data analysis (ANOVA). A total of 46.56% of the milk was lost due to different diseases.  Of all the infections, FMD caused a significantly larger decrease in milk output (63.40%), with H.S. (52.22%) and milk fever (52.65%) following closely behind.  Blot/tympani had the least amount of an impact (23.61%) compared to other ailments.

According to published research, 64% of farmers reported experiencing repeat breeding syndrome with exotic and cross-bred cattle as opposed to native breeds. Farmers suffer financial losses as a result of this for no apparent reason. Additionally, infertility in the vast majority of cows is mostly caused by endometritis. Due to the inflammation brought on by the bacteria, it is characterised by a white to purulent mucopurulent discharge.  Antibiotics are frequently used in the food production of animals. Therefore, farmers that raise animals for food have a vital responsibility to stop the misuse and overuse of antibiotics.

The Indian dairy industry is working hard to overcome obstacles like low dairy animal productivity, a lack of efficient quality and hygienic control systems, and building a network of cold chain facilities from the producer to the consumer level, despite numerous schemes and programmes implemented by the central and state governments. Some important schemes are (i) Rashtriya Gokul Mission(RGM); (ii) National Programme for Dairy Development(NPDD); (iii) Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund(DIDF); (iv) Support to State Dairy Cooperative Societies and Farmers Producers Organisations (SDCFPO); (v) Kissan Credit Card (KCC) and (vi) Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund(AHIDF).

Role of Farmers and Veterinarians

India’s milk production relies primarily on marginal and small farmers, who control around 44.58% of the total operating land. Government regulations and funding allocations support dairy farming as a part of farmers’ livelihoods, frequently in addition to crops. Government dairy projects prioritize improving livelihoods over increasing milk output. While milk output has increased, it is due to the size of the Indian dairy herd (including buffalos) rather than productivity enhancement. Genetically modified cows and buffaloes on dairy farms generate significantly more milk than their native counterparts. Farmers use synthetic growth hormones to improve production, but this also increases the risk of mastitis, a severe udder infection.

Some farmers in India illegally inject cows with oxytocin, a prescription drug that increases milk production. This medication has the potential to make humans seriously ill. Farmers in villages practice “phukan,” which involves ramming a rod into a cow’s uterus and twisting it, inflicting tremendous pain and internal ulcers that can become infected. Inadequate care for post-parturient gynaecological disorders might prevent animals from conceiving, thus impacting output. These animals become repeat breeders (RB), resulting in a “total-loss” in economic terms. Veterinary officials recommended deworming and vaccination calendars, but nearly 90% of farmers in cluster villages did not adhere to them. Farmers often struggled to implement extension recommendations due to financial restrictions. Launch promotional initiatives to urge farmers to undertake frequent animal health camps as a preventive strategy.

Future Perspective

In addition to taking into account personal reasons and justifications for usage, optimizing  the use of antibiotics requires a focus on the ongoing establishment of antimicrobial resistance and the evolution of antimicrobial use practices in a shifting political and scientific environment.  To prevent AMR, the effectiveness of multi-level coordinated action plans is determined by a number of key factors. Communities that raise animals do not view the new policies that handle the issues kindly. There needs to be a greater knowledge of the effects of AMR and of these intervention strategies. Indigenous animals are said to have a higher genetic potential due to their better adaption to local surroundings. More productive animals, alien breeds, and their offspring are less resistant to diseases, heat, and humidity. To promote genetic improvement in drylands, utilize high pedigree half-bred bulls to stabilize blood inheritance while maintaining genetic diversity. In order to succeed in the dairy supply chain, a company must concentrate on the essential elements required to accomplish its business objectives while continuously enhancing operational performance. Building a modern India requires proactive contacts between extension personnel and farmers, which calls for efficiency.

Conclusion

India’s approach to dairy production has remained mostly traditional, primarily because of social, economic, and environmental constraints. To address the numerous challenges dairy farmers confront, efficient management of cattle breeding, feeding, and reproductive health is crucial. The quantity, productivity, technology, and extent of dairy farming methods are the factors that determine a nation’s ability to produce milk. Nonetheless, a number of internal and external variables work together to impede economic growth. To strengthen the economy and sense of national pride, cooperative action requires integration and support from farmers, stakeholders, scientists, and governmental organisations.

 References

1. Samal, Lipismita & Pattanaik, Ashok. (2014). Dairy Production in India – Existing Scenario and Future Prospects. International Journal of Livestock Research. 4. 105-113. 10.5455/ijlr.20131002065611.
2. Juniwal C, Khan AR, Ganesh A, Carvalho RM, Karunamay S. Constraints in milk production of dairy cattle: A review. Pharma Innov. J. 2022:3991-4.
3. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Development of Dairy Farming https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1883204
4. Amit, Niyati, Shilpa and Prakash Singh, Economics of milk production and its constraints, Indian J Dairy Sci 76(3): 297-303
5. Sharma JK, Sharma SK, Singh NK. Problems and constraints of unorganized dairy farms in Jaipur region of Rajasthan. SGVU Int. J Environ. Sci. Technol. 2015;7(2):1-8
6. Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database(FAOSTAT) https://www.fao.org/dairy-production-products/production/en/

Please follow and like us: