Maintenance of Pregnant Desi/Indigenous Cows Ration for BPL families of all Categories of livestock farmers
Introduction
About 6.5 Lakh cows and buffaloes become pregnant every year in the state. They remain in lactation of about 6 to 7th month of pregnancy, thereafter a dry period of three months is given to them so that the calf may develop properly and yield optimum milk in the coming lactation. Due to small land holdings the BPL families of the state cannot provide nutritious and balanced diet to the pregnant animals. Thus the health of mother and calf is affected and underweight calf are born and though the cow have capacity to yield optimum milk but due to lack of nutritious and balanced ration it does not yield milk up to its capacity. The department, due to its limited resources cannot assist the farmers in providing nutritious diet to their pregnant animals. Therefore, under this scheme cattle feed to the pregnant cows will be provided on 50% subsidy to these families for the last trimester (three months) of pregnancy.
Objectives
- Increase in milk production thereby providing more economic gains to the farmers.
- To reduce the inter-calving period which will ultimately result in more calves and higher milk production.
- To improve the health of pregnant cows so that their full milk production potential can be realized after parturition.
- To ensure the birth of healthy calves free of diseases and malnutrition so that they grow to become higher producing animals.
- As the incentive is being given to Desi/Indigenous cows the farmers can be motivated to rear such animals.
Eligibility Criteria
Livestock owners belonging to BPL families of all categories rearing Desi/Indigenous/crossbred cows.
Subsidy will be provided to each BPL family of all categories maximum upto two Desi/Indigenous cows and their crosses.
Physical Target
Families belonging to BPL category rearing Desi/Indigenous cows will be provided balanced ration @ 3 kg/day/cow for maximum of two animals for three months during the last trimester of pregnancy at 50% subsidy.
Implementing Agency
Department of Animal Husbandry, Himachal Pradesh.
Assumptions
- Balanced ration will be provided @ 3kg/day/cow for three months (last trimester of pregnancy).
- Cost will be shared by the Govt. and beneficiary on 50:50 basis.
- Cost of feed will depend upon the tender/approved rates.
Benefits/Outcome
- After feeding balanced ration during last trimester of pregnancy, milk production increase by 2 ltr/day.
- With assumption that during lactation of 300 days farmer will market this milk at @ 30/ltr, his income will increase by Rs.18000/year (Approx.).