Dairy News
TN govt to help 3 farmers set up mini dairy units
Friday, 10/08/2018
http://thedairytimes.com/tn-govt-help-3-farmers-set-mini-dairy-units/
New Delhi, August 11, 2018: Coimbatore: Periyanaickenpalayam-based farmer T Selvaraj, who cultivates banana and brinjal to make a living, is excited about starting a mini dairy unit as he expects this to reduce his complete dependence on agriculture for livelihood. He is one among the three farmers in the district who have been selected for the newly-introduced mini dairy scheme. The animal husbandry department would assist them set up the units.
The three are presently being trained at the Tamil Nadu Veterinary University Training Centre at Saravanampatti on how to raise, maintain and milk cows. They are likely to get the first set of three cows around the first week of September and the remaining three by January-end, a collectorate official said.
The trio are the first set of farmers to be selected for the programme, which has been introduced in a few districts on a pilot basis.
The state government-sponsored move could give many small-time farmers, who are entirely dependent on agriculture, a solid alternate income. However, only those farmers, who own some land and can afford a small investment, would benefit. “The state government will sponsor six cows worth Rs 1.75 lakh to each farmer, teach them feed cows well and milk them in right manner, and connect them to the nearest Aavin cooperative centre, where they can supply milk every morning,” the official said according to timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
While one of the three farmers chosen for the scheme is from Periyanaickenpalayam, the rest are from Pollachi. “The scheme has been allotted to backward class and schedule caste farmers, who own at least one acre land, have space to graze the animals and build a shed for them, and can afford Rs 3.75 lakh,” the official said, adding, “The state government will spend around Rs 1.75 lakh towards the expenses of buying cows and training farmers.”
The training programme will help farmers detect periods when the animal is in heat, signs of illness, diseases and types of feed. “We taught them about breeds of cows available, how to select the right type of cow and how to construct a shed, besides implements to be bought like chaff cutter, milking machine and dung collecting wheel barrow,” said professor Dr Sivakumar, head of the university training centre.
Farmers, who have been selected for the programme, are excited. “We have already started cultivating CO4, which is a fodder crop, in half an acre land. We are expecting it to come up within two weeks. They will give us cows only after producing the fodder,” Selvaraj said, adding, “We expect at least 10-16 litres milk a day. Only then we will get good income and help us manage agriculture expenses and losses.”