CC BY
106
UDC 636
AWARENESS OF SCIENTIFIC DAIRY FARMING WITH LOW COST FEED STORAGE TECHNOLOGY FOR LIVELIHOOD DEVELOPMENT OF SMALLHOLDER RURAL FARMERS IN SIKKIM STATE OF INDIA
Nath B.G., Pathak P.K., Mohanty A.K., Researchers ICAR-Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim, India E-mail: drbichitra.nath@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Scientific dairy farming with low cost feed storage technology was desired by the rural farmers of Sikkim to improve their livelihood status. Indian Council of Agricultural research (ICAR) Sikkim Centre, disseminated the technology through participatory approaches and use of trainers from the communities. Farmers were encouraged to rear high lactating crossbred dairy cows like Jersey cross or Holstein Friesian (HF) cross and managed locally available feed with minuscule commercial feed. Low cost feed storage technology was introduced in the state to minimize the feed scarcity during winter season. Awareness of farmers was undertaken by arranging training programmes in collaboration with Govt and Non Govt Organizations (NGOs), distribution of leaflets, pamphlet, technical bulletins and the communication channels like AIR, Television, news papers, farm journals, farm magazines etc. The average income from a Jersey cross dairy cow was recorded as US$169.17 for the first year and US$587.92 for the second year. ICAR maintained close functional, collaborative and coordinative linkages with various development departments and financing institutions for launching various programmes effectively to create long-term sustainability.
KEY WORDS
Awareness; Dairy farming; Feed storage; Indigenous; Silage.
Indian agriculture is mainly confined to nearly 80% of small and marginal farmers out of the total 121 million of agricultural land holdings. However, major part of the livestock population is concentrated in the marginal and small size of holdings that plays an important and vital role in providing nutritive food to families both in rural and urban areas (Mohanty et al. 2012). Therefore the future of sustainable agricultural growth, rural livelihood and food security of the country depends on the growth of small and marginal farmers where livestock sector confers an immense contribution. Livestock are considered as living bank for a large number of poor as it contributes towards their livelihood security in various ways. Firstly, they generate a continuous source of income, which is often used to meet their daily food requirement and other expenses. Secondly, they are considered as important natural capital assets, which can be used by the poor to maintain livelihood in times of crisis. Thirdly, livestock act as a cushion protection against financial shocks due to crop failure. Finally, livestock rearing empowers women as they perform a number of activities related to livestock production.
Livestock rearing forms an integral part of the Sikkim farming system in integration with crop production. Due to low productivity of land and marginal holdings, livestock sector is recognized as a way of uplifting the quality of life of rural people (Chandra et al. 2008). Traditionally, dairying in Sikkim is a subsidiary occupation rearing one or two local cows depending on agricultural waste and by products of crops. Dairy industry in the state is undergoing a phase of transmutation, when age long backyard farming is rapidly vanishing and commercial dairies are replacing them. Nutrition based farming are making ways while medicine centric management are becoming oblivious. Cost optimization is thought out at every stage of dairy farming. Labour shortage is giving ways to farm mechanization. All of them have opened door for new technologies, which can reduce cost of production and increase farm productivity and profitability.
In Sikkim, plenty of fodder is available during rainy season and become scarce during winter season. The excess fodder can be preserved by making silage without much loss of nutrients. In livestock farming, hay-making is the primary method of forage preservation but in Sikkim weather condition is not favourable for hay making. Silage-making is one of the technologies that empower farmers to provide quality roughage throughout the year. So, silage-making can replace hay making as the technique of choice, as it is not dependent on specific weather conditions and can be extended to a great variety of forage and fodder crops and locally available agro-industrial by products.
For improving the dairy farming with high yielding breed of cow, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Sikkim Centre was taking the following important steps:
a) Survey for data collection regarding population of local and high yield breed of dairy cows in different areas of the state
b) Survey for data collection regarding status of milk production
c) Selection of interested farmers to start scientific dairy farming
d) Formation of different self help groups (SHGs) in different areas
e) Arrange training programmes for farmers on technology dissemination of information about the housing, feeding, general management and health care.
f) Formation of Artificial Insemination (AI) centers in different areas of the state.
g) Under National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP), ICAR supplied Jersey cross and Holstein Friesian (HF) cows to some selected farmers.
h) Cost-benefit analysis and disseminated the scientific dairy farming technologies to other farmers.
Firstly, farmers were encouraged to form self help groups (SHGs) to enable the technology to reach as many farmers at a reasonable cost in a short period. ICAR conducted training programmes to build the capacity of the groups, train them in group dynamics and ensure they were able to manage themselves. Supervisory visits were carried out regularly to support the work done.
Scientific dairy farming technology. In Sikkim, farmers reared dairy cow with traditional method. Majority of farmers kept their animal with poor housing as well as feeding system. The new technology is relatively knowledge-intensive (Roothaert et al. 2011), since it represents a commutation of changes from previous ways of managing dairy cows that farmers were used to. Introduced scientific dairy farming technology in the state was presented in Table1.
Table1 - Introduced scientific backyard poultry rearing technology, farmers adaptation and constraints
for adaptation of technology
New technology Source of technology Adaptation Adapters
High yielding breed of dairy cow - High milk yield with high lactation length Farmers
Artificial Insemination - Use of high yield breeder semen Farmers
Improved dairy shed ICAR Local materials were used where possible. Members assisted elderly and child-headed households Farmers
Feed storage technology ICAR Feed storage in HDP bag with locally available fodder crops, tree fodder and crashed maize Farmers
Vaccination Veterinary Department Collective purchases were organized by groups, maintaining the cold chain Farmers
Vermicompost production ICAR Prepare vermicompost by using cow dung Farmers
Farmers were advised to start scientific dairy farming with one or two high yielding cross breed dairy cows like Jersey cross or Holstein Friesian crossbred. The most important factor that the animals are highly resistant to diseases especially under rural production systems, require lower input support than others and produce higher milk production (Bhuiyan 2007). The milk yield of local cow is relatively very low. Nath et al (2013) recorded that the milk yields of a Jersey cross cow (5.6±0.76 lit/day) was three times higher than the
milk yields of a local cow (1.99 ± 0.3 lit/day) in Sikkim. Also the lactation length of Jersey cross cow (269.22±4.51 days) was higher as compared to local cows (234.37± 2.75 days). As the low production of milk, farmers were not getting much cash income from the dairy cattle and therefore they could not always meet out the feeding cost. Better housing systems improve physiological status of animal which could enhance the production of milk (Nath et al. 2013). For high altitude area, there should be provision of well protected half wall surrounding the house to protect the animal from direct effect of cold (Bujarbaruah 2005). It was advised to prepare cattle sheds made of locally available bamboo/wood with tin or thatched roof and had the concrete non-slippery floor. Hygiene and sanitation standards should be maintained in the farms properly to reduce the infectious diseases.
Breeding is important to improve the productivity of the animals. Basic understanding of the oestrous cycle and behaviours were reported as important factor if dairy business had to remain profitable (Nath et al. 2013). To improve the breeding facility, farmers were aware about the artificial insemination (AI) and also established AI centres in different remote areas of the state. Animal of high milk breeder will not give sufficient quantity of milk unless providing balance ration. Feeding systems for lactating and non-lactating cows should be based on their physiological status, as the feed requirement varies with the status they are in (Mureda and Zeleke 2008). Due to high cost of concentrates as well as non-availability of the feed ingredients farmers did not practice scientific feeding in the study area (Nath et al. 2013). To improve the feeding system, farmers were advised to conserve the fodder for future use by treating it with various additives and nutrients. Under this circumstance, a low cost feed storage technology was introduced in the state. Farmers were taught about the practices of vaccination and deworming to their animals routinely, to reduce the chances of infectious diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS), Black Quarter (BQ) and other parasitic infections. As Sikkim is declared as organic state by the state government, so the farm yard manure is important for crop production. It was advised to prepare vermicompost with cow dung in scientific way to make it a profitable venture in the state.
Low cost feed storage technology by using high density polythene (HDP) bags. Locally available fodder crops (Figure 1) and tree fodders (Figure 2) in Sikkim were used for silage making to preserve the fodder. Various steps for preparation of low cost silage in high density polythene (HDP) bags (Sipaulin bag) are presented in Figure 3.
Jungle grass
Amliso (Thysanolaena maxima)
Napier (Pennisatum polystachyon)
Dhotisaro (Setaria palmifolia) Guniea (Panicum maximum) Oat (Avena sativa)
Figure 1 - Some of the locally available fodder crops in Sikkim
Nevaro (Ficus rosenbergii) Gogan (Sauraria nepalensis) Sil timur (Lisea citrata)
Khasreto (Ficus hispida) Lute khanyum (Ficus elevata) Chuletro (Brassaiopsis mitis)
Figure 2 - Some of the locally availabler tree fodders in Sikkim
(6)Air tight packing (5) Filling of HDP bag (4) Mixing of maize
Figure 3 - Different steps of silage making in HDP bags
Step 1: The available tree fodders and fodders should be harvested. Preferably at half bloom stage the fodder crops should be harvested. The fodder should not contain more than 65-70% of moisture. High moisture content forages such as jungle grasses, tree leaves should be mixed with low moisture content forages like crop residues, maize stover, millet stover, cowpea, pulse straw, etc.
Step 2: The fodder should be chaffed into small pieces preferably at about 4-5 cm length with chaff cutter machine or manually.
Step 3: Chopped green forage should be mixed uniformly with 3% crushed maize.
Step 4: The well-mixed materials are then filled into HDP bags layer-by-layer, trampled by foot or any wooden thick stick to release air in between. Ensure the bag should not be torn off during filling or storage period.
Step 5: After complete filling the mouth of the bag is tied with rope and kept inverted on the ground. Whole operation of harvesting of crop, chaffing, filling and sealing of silo, etc should be completed on the same day.
Step 6: Silage is ready to feed the animals after 2-3 months.
Awareness and spread of technology. Awareness creation is often the first step in disseminating a technology package (Jegede et al. 2007). ICAR was trying to disseminate the technology through participatory methods and involved farmers in the process of technology development. It did not take a ready-made technology to dairy cattle, but provided the knowledge and skills to farmers to engage technology promotion and adoption process using locally available materials where possible. The emphasis on training of farmers and development of a pool of local trainers was an important methodological consideration for purposes of continuity and sustainability (Roothaert et al. 2011). The use of self help groups (SHGs) as a doorway to the community allowed involving many farmers, especially at the time of sensitization and training.
In the first phase, farmers were aware and trained on scientific dairy farming practices. Under National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP), a Jersey cross or a Holstein Friesian cow was supplied to each selected farmers. For feed storage technology, ICAR distributed chaff cutter machines and Sipaulin bag (HDP bag) to the farmers of six Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU). Farmers were advised to purchase vaccines collectively that can reduce the cost. The second stage focused on strengthening community structures that were established in the first stage. There had been much demand and increasing numbers of farmers. ICAR continued to strengthen the extension capacities on supervision and training extension.
T able 2 - Economic analysis of a Jersey cross dairy cow for the 1st and 2nd year in Sikkim
n/n Rate Rupees (US$)
I st Year
A) Expenditure
1) Cost of a Jersey cross dairy cow Rs. 20000/cow 20,000 335.00
2) Cost of feed 2 kg/day* x 365days x Rs. 25 /kg 18,000 301.50
3) Cost of medicines/vaccines Rs.1500/cow 1,500 25.12
4) Miscellaneous cost Rs. 1000/cow 1,000 16.75
Total expenditure 40,500 678.37
B) Return
a) Sale of milk 6 lit/ day x 270 days x Rs. 30 /lit 48,600 814.05
b) Sale of manure Rs. 2000/ cow 2,000 33.50
Gross return 50,600 847.55
Total profit (B-A) 10,100 169.17
II nd Year
A) Expenditure
1) Cost of feed 2 kg/day* x 365days x Rs. 25 /kg 18,000 301.50
2) Cost of medicines/vaccines Rs.1500/cow 1,500 25.12
3) Miscellaneous cost Rs. 1000/cow 1,000 16.75
Total expenditure 20,500 343.37
B) Return
a) Sale of milk 6 lit/ day x 270 days x Rs. 30 /lit 48,600 814.05
b) Sale of male calf Rs. 5000/calf 5,000 83.75
c) Sale of manure Rs. 2000/ cow 2,000 33.50
Gross return 55,600 931.30
Total profit (B-A) 35,100 587.92
* Feeding is mainly depend on locally available feed material like green grass, rice polish, kitchen left etc , and commercial feeds are supplied as supplementary source to reduce the feed cost; 1 Rupee= 0.01675 US$.
ICAR prepared the extension literature in the form of folders, leaflets, pamphlets, handouts, technical bulletins etc and were being given much emphasis as these literatures can reach number of farmers and other end users quickly and simultaneously. As the mass media serves as a source for communicating the latest agriculture and livestock technology to large number of farmers in a short period, ICAR was in the vanguard of mass media utilization in disseminating timely and relevant technologies to the farming community without
any time lag by way of radio and TV programmes such as talks, interviews, phone in programmes, answers to farmers’ queries etc. as well as wide spread coverage of important information/events through local and national daily news papers. ICAR organized exposure visits to selected farmers so as to share lessons and experiences. The participants appreciated what fellow farmers were doing. Participants started improving their farms by using the knowledge learnt during the exposure visits.
Socio-economic impact. Measuring economic performance (Ewbank et al. 2007) presented a challenge given the diversity of products that farmers generated - individual predilection dictated the extent to which farmers marketed either eggs or chicks of varying ages. The cost of expenditure and gross return of a jersey cross dairy cow for the 1st and 2nd year was presented in Table 2.
The average profit was recorded as Rs 10,100 (US$169.17) for the first year and Rs. 35,100 (US$587.92) for the second year. In three years observations by ICAR, the average profit of individual farmers was increased from US$ 182.15 to US$ 587.92 per annum.
Training and knowledge was not only related to dairy farming technologies, but also related to gender awareness, leadership skills and management issues (Roothaert et al. 2011). As a result majority of trained farmers (forming SHGs) are familiar with management of savings by opening bank accounts. Through their own savings, farmers started up their own income generating enterprises on their farms, thus improving their living status.
By introducing scientific dairy farming with low cost feed storage technology, there is integration and diversification of farm production for increased household food production and incomes. Dairy farming has enabled farmers to make use of cow dung as vermicompost to improve the soil fertility of their farms, and as such will continue improving the environment through nutrient recycling. Crop harvest had also increased and improved in quality and size.
Way ahead for technology dissemination. In the areas that the technology has been understood and applied, more awareness creation should be left in the hands of trained farmers (Roothaert et al. 2011). To disseminate the technology effectively, training needs for farmers should be reviewed regularly and training provided. ICAR gives much emphasis to successfully integrate the transfer of technology programmes with the similar activities of other line departments/ organizations functioning in the state. ICAR maintains close functional, collaborative and coordinative linkages with various development departments, financing institutions and voluntary organizations operating in the area for launching various programmes effectively which will help to create long-term sustainability. This linkage and integration is being carried out with active support of the host institution in terms of human resources, training facilities, other infrastructure facilities, various outreach programmes etc.
CONCLUSIONS
Technical knowledge and skills imparted by training created response among participants to improve traditional cultivation practices, initiate new enterprises and generate additional income in their households, homestead gardens, livestock farming and small scale enterprises. The amalgamation of traditional knowledge with the scientific methods as suggested by the ICAR helped to revitalize old practices and to evolve locally adoptable and sustainable technologies. The functional linkages established by ICAR with state government helped for common planning, joint execution, monitoring and purposeful evaluation of rural livelihood developmental programmes in Sikkim.
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