Telangana State may opt new livestock farming concept 

Community livestock farming’ practicised in the USA and Australia is likely to be replicated by the TS

Hyderabad: “Community Livestock Farming,” being practised in USA and Australia, will find an echo in Telangana State soon if the idea to promote cattle rearing in villages as a community-based profession is approved by the government. It is conceived by the State Animal Husbandry Department.

State Principal Secretary to Animal Husbandry Department Suresh Chanda has come out with the proposal to encourage livestock farming, particularly milch animals ( buffaloes and cows) by establishing exclusive cattle zones in every rural habitation.

• Animal Husbandry Department Principal Secretary Suresh Chanda conceives this innovative project
• He says it will help in increasing milk production and health of farmers and cattle too

Interestingly, the senior IAS official always comes up with innovative ways in helping the people. He had CCTVs installed in his chambers during his tenure as Secretary to Health Department and also ensured instant clearance of files.

The main objective behind community farming is to improve hygiene and sanitation in villages where people and animals coexist on the same premises. It is a part of decades old culture in everybody’s lives. Suresh Chanda said the traditional practice of rearing animals in and around residential areas had increased the dangers of spreading respiratory, skin allergic and digestive ailments both among people and cattle. Poor sanitation and the continuous unhygienic conditions had also hit milk production.

A recent study conducted by the department had revealed that quantity of milk produced from cattle reared separately in the farms and residential areas was varied. “Farm grown cattle are more healthy and gives more milk whereas home-grown are low in productivity ‘, Suresh said. He said the plan envisages building cattle zones on the outskirts of the village where cows and buffaloes would be sheltered. A local committee with cattle owners would be formed and they would take of the animals.

The plans also envisaged putting milking machines in place in these zones. Farmers would be given freedom to look after their cattle. The developed countries already adopted community farming which gave good results both in financial and hygienic aspects, he said.

The new system would also help people continue cattle rearing. In the wake of shortage of labour and fodder, many families gave up cattle farming resulting in milk production decreasing in the recent years, the official said. The proposal is yet to be forwarded to government for consideration.