Low Productivity of Indian Dairy Animals: Challenges & Mitigation Strategies

Low Productivity of Indian Dairy Animals: Challenges & Mitigation Strategies

 –Madhusmita Singha

2^nd year BVSc & AH

LCVSc, AAU

The Indian dairy sector is a critical component of the country’s agricultural economy, yet it faces significant challenges due to the low productivity of dairy animals. This article explores the multifaceted reasons behind this low productivity, including genetic factors, inadequate nutrition, poor management practices, and disease prevalence. It also proposes mitigation strategies such as genetic improvement programs, enhanced nutrition, improved animal husbandry practices, and robust veterinary services. Addressing these challenges is essential for enhancing milk production, improving farmer incomes, and ensuring nutritional security.

Keywords: Indian dairy sector, low productivity, genetic improvement, animal nutrition, dairy management, veterinary services.

India is the world’s largest producer of milk, contributing significantly to the global dairy market and the livelihoods of millions of rural households. Despite this, the productivity of Indian dairy animals remains relatively low compared to global standards. This low productivity is a major constraint to the growth and sustainability of the dairy sector in India.

Challenges Facing Indian Dairy Animals

1. 1. Genetic Factors: One of the primary challenges is the low genetic potential of indigenous dairy breeds. Most Indian breeds are dual-purpose (used for both milk and draught), which means their milk yield is significantly lower than specialized dairy breeds found in other countries.
2. Nutrition:Poor nutrition is a widespread issue. Many dairy animals in India do not receive a balanced diet that meets their energy, protein, and mineral requirements. This is often due to the limited availability of quality fodder and high costs of supplemental feeds.
3. Management Practices:Traditional and unscientific management practices contribute to low productivity. These include inadequate housing, poor hygiene, and insufficient water supply, which negatively impact animal health and milk yield.
4. Disease Prevalence: High incidences of diseases such as mastitis, foot and mouth disease, and reproductive disorders further reduce productivity. Limited access to veterinary services and poor disease management practices exacerbate these issues.

Mitigation Strategies

1. Genetic Improvement Programs: Implementing selective breeding programs to enhance the genetic potential of dairy animals can significantly increase milk production. Crossbreeding indigenous breeds with high-yielding exotic breeds is one approach to achieve this.
2. Enhanced Nutrition:Providing balanced and high-quality feed is crucial. Strategies include promoting fodder cultivation, utilizing crop residues efficiently, and providing mineral supplements. Government and non-governmental initiatives can support farmers in accessing affordable and nutritious feed options.
3. Improved Animal Husbandry Practices: Educating farmers on best practices in dairy management can lead to substantial improvements. This includes proper housing, maintaining hygiene, regular health check-ups, and ensuring adequate water supply.
4. Veterinary Services:Strengthening veterinary infrastructure and services is essential for disease prevention and control. This includes regular vaccination programs, deworming, and accessible veterinary care to treat and manage diseases effectively.

Conclusion

Enhancing the productivity of Indian dairy animals requires a comprehensive approach addressing genetic, nutritional, managerial, and health-related challenges. Implementing these mitigation strategies can lead to increased milk production, improved livelihoods for dairy farmers, and a more robust dairy sector contributing to the country’s nutritional security and economic growth.

References

1. National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). (2023). “Indian Dairy Sector Overview”. [Online]. Available: http://www.nddb.coop/information/stats
2. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2021). “Dairy Production and Products: India”. [Online]. Available: http://www.fao.org/dairy-production-products/india/en
3. Patel, A., & Sharma, V. (2020). “Challenges and Opportunities in the Indian Dairy Sector”. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 12(4), pp. 234-245.
4. Gupta, R., & Singh, P. (2019). “Nutritional Management of Dairy Cattle in India”. Asian Journal of Dairy and Food Research, 38(1), pp. 1-7.
5. Kumar, S., & Bhatia, R. (2018). “Improving Genetic Potential of Dairy Animals in India”. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 88(5), pp. 560-570.
6. Singh, K., & Meena, M. (2022). “Veterinary Services and Dairy Health Management in India”. Veterinary World, 15(3), pp. 300-310.

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