Cow dung, a by-product of the dairy sector, can play a crucial role in balancing the sector’s carbon footprint. The global demand for cow dung imports has significantly increased due to the growing emphasis on sustainable and organic farming practices. India has positioned itself as the largest exporter of cow dung, catering to countries such as the Maldives, the United States, and Malaysia. Kuwait recently imported 192 metric tonnes of cow dung from India, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity through organic methods. This import, meticulously supervised for quality and compliance, highlights the increasing global recognition of cow dung’s benefits in improving soil fertility and crop yields. Cow dung can be processed into organic manure, serving as an effective fertilizer that reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers and decreases nitrous oxide emissions. This organic manure enhances soil health and improves crop yields by slowly releasing nutrients, improving soil structure and fertility. Additionally, cow dung can be utilized in biogas plants to produce renewable energy, that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. The residual slurry from biogas production can be used as a nutrient-rich fertilizer, creating a closed-loop system that maximizes resource efficiency. By diversifying into other renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, which can be integrated with biogas systems, cooperatives can create more robust, sustainable energy solutions. This holistic approach could serve as a model for energy self-sufficiency in rural areas, ultimately leading to a greener, more sustainable agricultural sector nationwide.
India has a shortage of animal fodder and the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has been supplementing the efforts made by state governments to enhance fodder availability. The ICAR- Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI) has estimated that there is a deficit of 32 percent and 23 percent for green and dry fodder, respectively. The schemes were designed to assist in quality fodder seeds production; entrepreneurial development programs on fodder; fodder production from non-forest wasteland/rangeland/grassland /non-arable land; and fodder production from forest land. The Agriculture Ministry is implementing the scheme to form and promote 100 fodder-centric Farmer Producer Organizations. IGFRI has also prepared a fodder resources development plan for 25 states to enhance fodder availability in the states based on their cropping pattern and livestock species.
With the authorities struggling to effectively monitor and control the malpractice of food adulteration, nearly 22% of samples of milk and milk products analyzed in the region in the last three years were found non-conforming to the standards, raising concerns about public health and safety in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Despite the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act outlining penalties for violations, lax enforcement has allowed unscrupulous producers and suppliers in the region to continue adulterating food, particularly during festivals. Consumption of contaminated food can lead to various health issues, including nausea, allergic reactions, diarrhea, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The lack of effective monitoring and control has enabled the widespread malpractice of food adulteration, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement to protect public health. The analysis of the data compiled by the Union health ministry showed that a total of 39,235 samples of milk and milk products were collected and analyzed in the region, of which 8,608 failed the test. Haryana had the highest percentage of samples failing the test, followed by Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. Between 2021-22 and 2023-24, as many as 12,165 samples were examined in Haryana, of which 3,463 were found unfit for consumption, accounting for over 28% of the total samples. In Himachal Pradesh, nearly 24% of samples failed to meet the set standards during the corresponding period with 1,433 samples out of 6,082 failing the test, while in Punjab, out of 20,988 samples collected during the three years, 3,712 were found to be non-conforming. Legal action was taken against violators in three states for selling or storing adulterated products. In Punjab, 3,216 civil and 204 criminal cases were registered, while Haryana saw 2,739 civil and 303 criminal cases initiated. Meanwhile, Himachal registered 926 civil and 141 criminal cases against the offenders.
Animal Husbandry and Dairying Ministry has proposed the use of sex-sorted semen technology in dairy farming to ensure that 90% of cattle born are female. This will help to tackle the problem of stray cattle, particularly male cattle, which are causing significant issues for farmers. Setting up cattle shelters, or gaushalas, is not a viable solution to the stray cattle problem. Instead, the free distribution of sex-sorted semen, alongside the use of IVF and embryo transplanting technologies should be done. These methods would not only increase milk production but also reduce the birth rate of male cattle.