Officials Should Work Towards Providing Improved Fodder Seeds for Dairy Animals: Shyam Singh Rana

Chandigarh, 14 October:- Haryana Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister Shyam Singh Rana directed officials to work towards providing improved fodder seeds for dairy animals in the state so that people could get good-quality milk. He also directed them to explore the possibility of formulating a policy for this purpose.

Rana was chairing a meeting with senior officials of the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department, LUVAS University, the Livestock Development Board and the Haryana Gau Seva Aayog at his office in Chandigarh. Those present included Vijay Singh Dahiya, Principal Secretary of the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Department; Dr Prem Singh, Director; Dr Vinod Kumar Verma, Vice-Chancellor of LUVAS University, Hisar; and other officials.

Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister Shyam Singh Rana said that dairy animals should be fed fodder grown without chemical fertilisers and pesticides, as the use of DAP, urea and chemical fertilisers could make fodder harmful, allowing chemical residues to enter the bodies of people who consume the milk. He directed officials to encourage livestock farmers to grow fodder using organic and natural manure and to make improved-quality seeds available to them. He said that a policy could also be formulated for this purpose, if required.

Rana also said that a subsidy-related scheme should be prepared to encourage farmers to establish dairies for indigenous cows. This would help preserve and improve indigenous cattle breeds, while Jeevamrit prepared from their cow urine could be used as manure in natural farming.

He also directed officials to prepare a scheme such as a “day-boarding animal hostel” on panchayat land for village cattle. Under such a scheme, village animals could roam and graze within the hostel’s enclosed premises during the day, while livestock owners could take them home at night.

The Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister also reviewed the department-related “CM Announcements” and “Budget Announcements” and directed officials to complete all announced initiatives within the stipulated time.