News & Announcements

Kasargod farmers are optimistic about the future of Dairying in the State

         Increasing cost of production is the main challenge faced by dairy farmers of Kasargod District. Farmers claimed that even with the heavy increase in price of cattle feed; they used to get a daily profit of around Rs100-200 per day per cow during the first six months of lactation. Farmers suggested that transparency in procurement of milk, need for draught resistant varieties of fodder, 24 hours of Veterinary service, cost effective technologies for enhancing milk production, high yielding varieties of cows (can yield up to 20 litres of milk per day), cost effective milking machine and availability of cost effective cattle feed will help to achieve sustainability in Dairying. They suggested that farmers usually calculate the economics of dairying based on milk production; but least bothered about manure, urine, biogas, etc. Taking all these items in to consideration farmers suggested that dairying is profitable in the State and it can be further increased through mixed farming. They strongly criticized the breeding policy of the state. Farmers raised these suggestions during the Farmer Scientist interface held at Hotel Bekal International, Kanhangad on 26th March 2014. Directorate of Entrepreneurship of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University and Department of Animal Husbandry jointly organised this programme. Assistant Directors of Animal Husbandry Department Dr.G.K.Mahesh, Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan, Dr.G.M.Sunil and Dr.Tito Joseph interacted with the farmers. Farmer interface for Manjeswar and Kasargod blocks will be held at Government Guest House, Kasargod from 27th to 28th March 2014.