Role of Veterinarian for the Doubling of Farmer’s Income

Role of Veterinarian for the Doubling of Farmer’s Income

Ashish Ranjan¹, Ranjana Sinha², Indu Devi³ and Shiwani Tiwari⁴

• Touring Veterinary Officer, Animal and Fish Resources, Government of Bihar.
• Assistant Professor, Livestock Farm Complex, Bihar Veterinary College, BASU, Patna-14
• Scientist, Livestock Production Management, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal.
• Assistant professor, LPM, JLNKVV, Madhya Pradesh.

India is one of the top producers of food in the world, and a sizable amount of its GDP is derived from agriculture. Almost 60% of India’s land area is utilized for agriculture, making it the country’s principal source of land utilization. Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy, and it occupies the majority of this fertile land. India’s agriculture industry employs around half of its labour force and contributes 15% of the nation’s GDP. The land holding size of each farmer is decreasing continuously due to the continuing fragmentation, but at the same time, human population increasing very rapidly. It is a challenge for policy-makers to make small and marginal farmers viable.

A 2003 survey by the NSSO (National Sample Survey Office) revealed that 40% of Indian farmers would prefer to quit farming at the first opportunity due to the low profits, high risk, and lack of social status associated with the occupation. This survey provided an official acknowledgement of the distress and the agrarian crisis. They continued farming since they could not find work elsewhere. Thus, one of the primary policy objectives of the Indian government administration in the sector of agriculture is to double farmers’ income. In view of this, various related sectors like as horticulture, fodder crops, animal husbandry, poultry, fisheries, piggery, bee-keeping, vermiculture, sericulture, etc., may be extremely important in addition to agriculture in order to double the farmers’ revenue. By implementing modern technology in the livestock industry, such as broadening the use of artificial insemination, improving animal productivity through grading up and crossbreeding, developing feed and fodder banks, developing housing and feeding practices that are climate resilient, betterment of health care services and/or  value addition of milk and meat products, farmers can double their income. In addition, a number of programs like ARYA (Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture project), READY (Rural Entrepreneurship Awareness Development Yojana), the National Livestock Mission, the Rashtria Gokul Mission, Kisan credit cards, the Farmers Federation, non-governmental organizations, and women’s self-help groups can help in doubling a farmer’s income. The animal husbandry department is crucial in educating the farming community about the advantages of diversified farming, safeguarding animals from diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Hemorrhagic Septicemia (H.S.), Black Quarter (B.Q.), Pesti-des-petits ruminants (PPR), Brucellosis, and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), and disseminating technical knowledge about farming practices.

Role of livestock sector in India

In Indian agricultural systems, crops and animals are mutually beneficial. Two-thirds of landless and marginal farmers, who retained 70–75 percent of the animal population, depend only on livestock for their means of livelihood. Livestock offers essential input to agriculture sectors as well as work for educated rural young who are unemployed and who need dietary supplements like milk, meat, and eggs for their families. Aside from this, animals represent a livestock owner’s natural capital and serve as mobile banks during times of need. A crucial part of the Indian economy and the socioeconomic development of millions of rural households is played by the livestock sub-sector. According to the annual report (2022-23), livestock sector contributed 30.87% of agricultural GVA (Gross value added) and 6.17% of total GVA.

Contribution of livestock sector in Indian economy

Livestock sectors contribute 25.6 % of agricultural and 4.11 % of national economy and in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The agriculture and allied sector collectively contributed about 18.3% to the total GDP of the country. According to estimates of the Central Statistical organization (2022), Government of India, the value of output from livestock sector was about Rs. 11,14,249 crore at current prices during 2020-21 which is about 30.87% of the value of the output from total agriculture and allied sector and 6.17% of total GVA. Meat and meat products contributed 90% to total export earnings from livestock sector.

Some important step for doubling farmer’s income and role of Veterinarian

1. Livestock improvement through coverage of artificial insemination and others modern technologies

Artificial Insemination (AI) using cryopreserved semen is a key reproductive biotechnology in genetic improvement and productivity enhancement. It is evident how this technology has impacted the economic growth of developed nations. However, the potential of this technology has not been fully harnessed in India due to lack of awareness and shortage of trained AI workers. It is an established fact that the technology of artificial insemination using cryo-preserved semen not only tackles major problems, that being faced by farmers in managing a bull for breeding of their animals, also in disease prevention. According to Thibier and Wagner (2002), artificial insemination (AI) is the most widely used approach for intensive breeding in developed countries for dairy cattle (about 80% in Europe and North America), pigs (≈90% in Europe and North America), and turkeys (~ 100%). In India, AI is mostly restricted to cattle and buffaloes. Despite having one of the largest networks for livestock breeding, the overall AI coverage in cattle and buffaloes in India is only 29.7 % with an overall meagre conception rate of 35%. The reasons behind the failure to exploit full potential of AI are many. Difficulties in timely delivery of AI, absence of mechanisms to ensure use of semen from certified semen stations, non-adherence to state breeding policy, absence of a mandatory system of animal identification and data retrieval and poor control over private AI field worker that are using uncertified semen are few limitations that need immediate redressal.              

Modern technologies like MOET and IVF should be used to improve the breeding potential of superior Dams. To increase breeding efficiency and reduce the number of farms lost, it is essential to regularly update the paravets and AI technicians on artificial insemination and the modern technologies. A field veterinarian may play a crucial role in the adaptation of these techniques. They are also able to train field AI technicians for these modern techniques. It is further strengthened by giving field AI workers, access to frozen semen and liquid nitrogen on a timely basis. Concentrate feed, mineral mixtures, and forage seed supply to farmers, engaged in livestock husbandry, through local dairy federation/NGOs/field veterinarians may be crucial for doubling farmer’s income.

2. Livestock health and disease control

Preventive vaccinations against various diseases of livestock as well as disease surveillance are crucial measures in the prevention and control of diseases that eventually lead to their eradication. Veterinarians are doing an awareness program among farmers regarding animal diseases and preventive measures taken against disease by organizing regular camps at the village level for the most common diseases. Under several state and central government programs, veterinarians with the help of private person are providing vaccinations of FMD, HS &BQ, LSD, Brucellosis and PPR at farmers’ doorsteps. The anticipated benefits of immunization programs are increased animal productivity, increased trade in livestock and poultry products, and an improvement in the economic condition of livestock and poultry farmers.

3. Housing management of livestock

Housing is one of the primary requirements of dairy animal for better production, health and welfare. Better housing environment avoids stress and aid in expressing normal animal behaviour. Ensuring the comfort of animals in animal shelters through enough space, ventilation, and bedding materials can positively impact productivity.  Production loss may also be decreased by practicing good hygiene, feeding management, and water management. Veterinarians are able to educate farmer for different management practices to optimum production. With a changing climate, veterinarian can advice about needs to modified the housing design of animals to make the micro-climate conducive for health and production. They may advice about adopting a free stall design, fogger, sprinklers and mist cooling system because these practices may increase lying time, improved feed intake and help in increase in milk production.

4. Improvement in the productive efficiency of dairy animal

The productivity of our Indigenous cattle is very low (2-4 kg/day) as compared to other developed countries. The problem of low production and productivity of livestock is mainly associated with the genetic makeup, nutritional status and disease condition of animals.  Farmer’s income can be increased if productivity of these low producing animals enhanced. There is ample scope in the improvement of production efficiency of dairy animals by improving the housing, feeding, health and reproductive management like anestrous, delayed puberty and delayed heat. Also, there is a need to improve genetic material and breeding methods which is helpful in enhancing the productivity of dairy animal (Tekam et al., 2019). Different states have their own breeding policy to increase the productivity of indigenous animals through scientific breeding. At the local level, veterinarians are crucial for the implementation of breeding policies.

5. Technology innovation and dissemination in livestock sector

The study investigated the technological innovations in livestock; their dissemination and adoption can helps in increasing performance at farm level. It is important to recognize farmers’ needs and their capacity for technological adoption. Technologies can be disseminated through adaptive research or field trial, training to the farmer and field worker with the help of Veterinarian. To improve adoption, there should be more extension visits to farmers, more intensive training programs for young people living in rural areas, and effective coordination among the many livestock partners. Information technology can be utilized in the livestock industry to disseminate information on livestock, including vaccination alerts that may be sent via mobile services and different social media platforms before and during the monsoon season, as well as during disease outbreaks (Choudhary et al., 2018).

6. Improvement of nutritional value

 India is a deficit of 10% of dry fodders, 33% concentrate feeds and 35% of green fodders. So, the availability of feeds and fodders can only be improved through dietary manipulation, microbial manipulation and increased production of fodder crop. Inter cropping and mix cropping are widely used to minimize the risk of failure. Low water requiring and short duration forage such as; cow pea, cluster bean can be intercropped with long duration crop such as sorghum, pearl millet. Fodder production can be increased by raising fodder crop as a catch crop between the main cropping seasons (Lathwal et al., 2018). The animal should be fed with balanced ration including mineral mixture and vitamins.

Since, feed and fodders contribute 60-70% of the total variable cost in livestock rearing, thus, economic feeding will increase the profitability. Majority of feed and fodders for animals are paddy straw, wheat straw, maize stalk, sugarcane, bagasse which have poor in nutritional value but has high fibre content. Nutritional value of these fodders can be improved through urea treatment, water irrigation and heat treatment methods

Fodder Development program along with fodder bank should be designed in every district. Establishment of fodder banks in a fodder scarcity region through dairy federation and organizations can help small farmers to feed their livestock.

7. Strengthening Livestock extension services

Livestock extension services remain in dormant stage and majority of livestock keepers are very poor and uneducated. Only 5% of farm households have access to information on livestock, compared to 40.4% in the agricultural sector, indicating a significant knowledge gap among livestock producers. There is need, to give due attention towards livestock sector in order, to develop such an extension system that can connect with the livestock farmers and solve their issues. The Animal Husbandry Department (AHD) is the primary state agency involved in the livestock sector. The treatment, immunization, training, prevention of zoonotic diseases, and schemes implementation are the main responsibilities of a veterinarian working with AHD. There are still very few resources accessible for epidemiology, forecasting, surveillance, diagnosis, and reporting of diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to empower farmers by establishing KVKs, veterinary institute and hospitals specifically for livestock activities where veterinarian can play a crucial role for doubling farmer income. All problems of livestock farmers must be addressed accordingly, with proper back up from veterinary universities and research centres for remedies. ICT (Information and communication technology) based extension services may also bring an extremely positive response among the livestock farming community.

8. Organic livestock farming

For organic farming, herd health care may provide significant challenges. According to Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production, the best methods to maintain the animal health are the decisions taken for breed selection and their feeding and housing practices. Animal health promotion strategies on organic farms are based on long-term and strategic farming decisions promoting a good balance between the animal and its environment. Veterinarians may be the most relevant partners of dairy farmers in maintaining their herd health. Previously, the role of a veterinarian was more about treating individual sick animals, but now a days their role has been shifted toward management related, acting at the herd level, advising on disease prevention and even health promoting strategies (LeBlanc et al., 2006; Ruston et al., 2016). As a management person, they can visit farms on a regular basis and create awareness. Even they can analyse data at certain levels for better herd health and production. Pieper (2014) reported that veterinarians provided regular and scheduled advice about reproductive success and herd health for organic dairy farming.

9. Crop-livestock diversification and Integrated Farming system (IFS)

 Livestock sector alone provides an alternative livelihood option to over 70 millions small and marginal farmers. Meat, egg, wool and their by-products are also emerging as important productive sector for diversification. For a farm household, crop-livestock diversification may be the best source of income. The farmers may benefit from this approach by having more steady revenue, food security, and nutrition. The health of the ecology and biodiversity are unaffected by this system. For this reason, it should to be included in India’s agricultural policy in order to raise food, jobs and revenue.

This kind of farming is mostly done by backyard farmers and small stockholders with limited resources. The veterinarian scientific knowledge may improve profit by improving livestock health, nutrition, reproduction, selection etc. Farmers receive ethical and technical support from veterinarians. Additionally, they also disseminate newly developed and adopted technologies for animal husbandry. They also inform farmers about current government initiatives for livestock growth and compensation plans.

In order to achieve the goal of doubling farmer income, an integrated farming system must be developed and used in such a way that one enterprise’s product or by-product/ waste product can be utilized for the growth and development of other enterprises viz. Fish cum duck farming, Livestock and crop, Fish-duck- goatery, Fish-duck- fruit plant etc.

10. Livestock waste management

Farmers may enhance their income by managing their farm waste by producing bio-gas, vermi composting, dung cakes, and dung pits. Cattle dung and its extract can be utilized to produce bioethanol and biodiesel as sustainable energy sources, as well as to make pots, gamlas and also as mosquito repellent.

Veterinarian’s role in different programs and schemes

1. Kisan credit card

In order to give farmers quick, sufficient financial support from the banking system in a fixable, hassle-free, and cost-free manner, the Indian government launched the KISAN CREDIT CARD in 1998. The benefit of this system is still underutilized. In addition, the government is now providing KCC loans to farmers who engage in animal husbandry. In these, the veterinarian receives the loan application and sends it to the bank via the appropriate route.

2. National dairy development programme

This programme is focused on production of quality milk, procurement, processing and marketing of milk and milk by-product by creating /strengthening of infrastructure. For quality milk production, veterinarians assist dairy farmers in establishing appropriate sanitary standards for milking staff and equipment as well as in adopting good herd health practices. These standard help in reducing somatic cell count. Regulatory supervision by veterinarian for different milk cooperative assure the purity and safety of the milk supply. Quality control measures are the responsibility of the dairy cooperatives and the milk processing plants, where veterinarian are playing crucial role to meet the standard. Veterinarians are doing a good job in controlling and treating diseases in our dairy herds. They have a significant impact on various dairy operations and assist in providing quality milk supplies through various milk cooperatives.

3. Dairy entrepreneurship development scheme

This scheme is being implemented through NABARD which provide financial assistance to farmers to become a entrepreneur. Through this program, farmers receive assistance in opening dairy units for the clean milk production and value-added products. Value addition is a process of changing and transforming a product from its original state to a more valuable state. Product development is a way that enhances the value of milk and meat by products. Local farmers also get the benefit if they engage in value addition activities which enhance the value of livestock commodities. A veterinarian advises farmers on the economics of their unit and assists in project development.

4. National dairy plan phase 1

NDP-1 is a central government scheme implemented by the National Dairy Development Board to increase the productivity of milch animals through scientific breeding and feeding to meet the rapidly growing demand for milk. Veterinarians, who have good knowledge of statistics and animal genetics & breeding, are involved in the evaluation of animals. They are also involved in progeny testing (PT) projects, pedigree selection (PS) projects, genomic selection and other projects for improvement in production.

5. Schemes for farmer’s welfare

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries has developed a number of programs, such as ENAM (Electronic National Agriculture Market), to promote farmer welfare. The National Livestock Mission (NLM), the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna (PMFBY), the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Program, and other initiatives are taken to support farmers’ socioeconomic development and productivity improvement.

6. Provision of funding, subsidy and bank loan

Majority of livestock development policy has been implemented by government organisations. There is very less private sector investment in animal husbandry.

There are gaps in investment for this sector that need to be filled. To attract private investors, credit options and tax incentives should be implemented.

7. Livestock Insurance

Livestock insurance provided by the public sector insurance companies are covering only about 6% of the animal heads due to lack of awareness among farmers.  Veterinarians are able to educate and explain farmer about benefit and need of livestock insurance through extension activities. They might serve as a communication line between farmers and the representative of an insurance company.

State governments are organising Kisan Mela through KVK in different area, where veterinarian are providing information regarding adoption of new technology related to livestock, and also organising training programme to educate farmers for preparation of value added livestock products.

Conclusion

Doubling a farmer’s income is a challenging task that requires effective, systematic approaches. The availability of land for each farmer’s family is declining steadily. Thus, in order to survive, every household uses the available land for agriculture to generate income. For more income, they are moving toward the allied sector of agriculture. The income of farmers may be enhanced by using agricultural product and its waste for rearing livestock. The animal husbandry department, along with their field veterinarian, is guiding farmers to enhance their income through animals and their products. The income of farmers can be increased by improving the productivity of milch animals, using an integrated and diversified farming system, providing a better market price and implementing suitable policy measures. Livestock policy should be based on the principles of social acceptability, economic feasibility, technical viability and resource conservation ability. Large-scale awareness and skill programs need to be organized to educate the farmers to adopt diversification in the livestock sector. In all these, veterinarians play a vital role in doubling farmer income and/or supporting farmers to become entrepreneurs.

References

Choudhary, S., Yamini., Raheja, N., Barman, D., Prashad K. and Panchbhai, G. (2018). Doubling of farmers income of country: ways and means, dairy planner. 9-11.

Tekam, D., Sonawane, N., Bhanotra, N. and Sawant, M. (2019). Doubling of Farmers Income through Animal Husbandry by 2022. International Journal Current Microbiology and Applied Science., 8(2): 3246-3255.

Lathwal, S.S, Devi, I. and Dudi, K. (2018). Strategies for enhancing income of smallholder livestock farmers in western India. Compendium Smallholders livestock’s producers in India opportunities and challenges organized at Dantiwada, Gujarat 11-13: 42-52.

Thibier, M. and Wagner, H.G. (2002), World statistics for artificial insemination in cattle. Livestock Production Science., 74: 203–212.

Ruston, A., Shortall, O., Green, M., Brennan, M., Wapenaar, W. and Kaler, J. (2016). Challenges facing the farm animal veterinary profession in England: a qualitative study of veterinarians’ perceptions and responses. Prev. Vet. Med. 10:3-8.

LeBlanc, S.J., Lissemore, K.D., Kelton, D.F., Duffield, T.F. and Leslie, K.E. (2006). Major advances in disease prevention in dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 89: 1267–1279.

Council regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC).

Pieper, L. (2014). Johne’s Disease Prevention and Control on Organic Dairy Farms in Ontario, Canada PhD Thesis. University of Guelph.

Role of Veterinarians in Doubling Farmers’ Income in India