Mathura District, in Uttar Pradesh, a well-known holy place and birth place of Lord Krishna. From ancient time Mathura is one of largest hub for Cattle Husbandry. Except urban area, almost each rural household possesses cattle and is engaged in cattle rearing.
Even being such larger hub, currently cattle rearing is being looked as for only self-consumption and not as Dairy enterprise. Present dairy farming is much disorganized and farmers are finding the cattle husbandry as non-profitable business. Poor Milk yield- Avg. 4 litres per cattle, Poor health and facilities, lack of nutrition management are some of key issues; which are not even sensitized within community.
Partnering with Godrej Agrovet Ltd, Mumbai- Leading animal feed manufacturer, Drishtee developed a training program for Cattle Husbandry. The major deliverables in program were addressing the best practices and affordable changes in cattle management. Objective was set to impact the increase in milk yield by adopting the scientific and research based proven modification in management practices. Expert inputs were sought from Godrej R&D division.
Core modules of training delivery included - Nutrition Management, Health Management- General and Reproductive, Calf management, General maintenance and Dairy practices.
Target audience for this training was majority women, as much of daily chores are managed by women. Profile of participants was about 35yrs average age group, basic reading writing skills. Understanding the low yield problem in primary baseline data, the focus of training was to address the changes to be made which can directly impact the yield growth. Participants were made aware of balanced diet requirements, cattle specific inputs and individual support was provided to make the structured diet changes. At first delivery level, acceptance was very poor as women from family were not the decision maker of any financial transactions; also few were reluctant to follow new methodology. To address the challenge, effort were taken to identify the single progressive participants and with close engagement with their family members, the demonstration were followed. The impact was positive and with span of 15 days there was increase in milk yield of about 1 litre.
Based on these learnings, the model of training delivery was changed to one-to-one household participation model. Some training sessions were dedicated for home visits and consultation was provided in presence with family members. Additional to milk yield some general health related problems were discussed during these sessions. Lack of general health awareness was concerning and same was found to have an indirect impact on the yield.
Key areas addressed -
- Increase milk yield - Diet management
- General health (Weight development, Skin and external organs etc..) - inputs on mineral based diet - (Iodine, Calcium, vitamins, Glucose), adoption of the practices like De-worming at regular interval, Hygienic feeding
- Diseases and disorders - Promoting to adopt timely vaccinations
- Reproductive health - Heifers health development, Medical assistance
In last six months, 2000+ participants have successfully completed training, 1000+ cattle have shown milk yield growth with 1 litre approx. Calculating the monetary benefit, every farmers has benefited with incremental income of Rs. 900 per month per cattle. Other benefits noted are general health development and reproductive positive cases. Participants are also following learned practices in reproduction phase and calf management which is their future asset.
Still, there is lot of scope to improve the picture and bring back the Cattle Husbandry in main stream of Dairy business.
Drishtee has established 200+ mobile Skill Development training centres in Mathura alone, where training is delivered in courses like - Sewing, Embroidery, Crop Cultivations and Cattle Husbandry. Drishtee is also successfully imparting trainings in other locations in states of Assam, Odihsa, Bihar, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
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