SEVAI-OFI Cow project provides training to farmers with systematic approach

SEVAI-OFI Cow project in Sirugamani

SEVAI-OFI Cow project provides training to farmers with systematic approach.SEVAI in consultation with OFI and its volunteers undertook a survey in Sirugamani region in 2012 and observed that Dairying is an important source of income to small/marginal farmers and agricultural labourers of this SEVAI Target area. Based on the survey and local needs of the women community for rearing the cows, SEVAI with the support of OFI established a cow farm in SEVAI Centre in Sirugamani with 17 cows in December 2012. The costs of animal were met by OFI and SEVAI needed to provide land and buildings and other materials for running the Dairy farming in Sirugamani. This Dairy Farming and Livestock Breeding are two promising occupations that are giving

Jercy cow maintained and milked by a woman

outstanding results and SEVAI Target women self help groups are showing their inclination towards it with more interest. This Model Dairy Farm helps the existing cow farmers and prospective cow farmers of this occupation extraordinarily through offering services like: Livestock Breeding Service, Dairy Farm Consultancy Service, Organizing Training Program for cow farmers and women self help groups members those involved in cow rearing for milk and calves rearing. The manure from animals provides a good source of organic matter for improving soil fertility and crop yields. The surplus fodder and agricultural by-products are gainfully utilised for feeding the animals. Since agriculture is mostly seasonal, the training provided by this dairy farming has potential of finding employment throughout the year for many poor families through dairy farming. Thus, dairy also provides employment throughout the year. The main beneficiaries of dairy programmes are small/marginal farmers and landless labourers. This cow farm had an outreach program with the local cow farmers especially small/marginal farmers

Cows selection- Sirugamani SEVAI-OFI FARM

and land less agricultural labourers as it plays a very important role in milk production of this region where the demand for milk is high. Modern and well established scientific principles, practices and skills were used to obtain maximum economic benefits from dairy farming. The cow farm in Sirugamani was constructed in an elevated and Cowshed on dry, properly raised ground avoiding water-logging, marshy and heavy rainfall areas, The feeding canal walls of the sheds is 1meter high, walls are  plastered to make them damp proof, The roof is 4 metres high, the The cattle shed is well ventilated, The floor sturdy and/hard, even non-slippery impervious, well sloped 3 cm per metreand properly drained to remain dry and clean, Provided with  0.25 metre broad, pucca drain at the rear of the standing space, the  standing space of 2 x 1.05 metre for each animal is given, The manger space is 1.05 metre with front height of 0.5 metre and depth of 0.25 metre, the corners in mangers, troughs, drains and walls are rounded for easy cleaning, provided 8 sq. metre loaf space for each animal, Provided proper shade and cool drinking water in summer, in winter kept animals indoor during night and rain, provided individual bedding daily, and continuously maintained sanitary condition around shed. On the funds availability purchase the stock from a reliable breeder and Erode Cow market, purchased freshly calved animals in their second/third lactation, before purchasing, ascertain actual milk yield by milking the animal three times consecutively. Vaccinated the newly purchased animal against disease, keeping the newly purchased animal under observation for a period of about two weeks and then mix with the general herd, purchased a minimum economical unit of two milch animals  purchased

CALVES REARING IN SEVAI-OFI Cow farm

the second animal/second batch after 6 months from the purchase of first animal, As far as possible purchased the second animal when the first animal is in its late stage of lactation and is about to become dry, thereby maintaining continuity in milk production vis-a-vis income. This ensured availability of adequate funds for maintaining the dry animals. SEVAI-OFI Project Feeds the animals with best feeds and fodders by giving adequate green fodder in the ration, Chaffing roughage before feeding.  Crush the grains and concentrates. The oil cakes provided to the milking cows are flaky and crumbly and moistened the concentrate mixture before feeding, provided adequate vitamins and minerals with salt licks besides addition of mineral mixture to the concentrate ration, adequate and clean water. SEVAI has grown green fodder on your land available, Cut the fodder at the right stage of their growth, Chaff roughage before feeding. Milk the animals two times a day at fixed times in one sitting within eight minutes milking by the same person regularly in a clean place with udder washing and teat with antiseptic lotions/luke-warm water and dry before milking. The is ensured that he is free from any contagious diseases and wash his hands with antiseptic lotion before each milking by milking is done with full hands, quickly and completely followed by stripping. Protection of cows against Diseases has been given top priority with an alert for signs of illness such as reduced feed intake, fever, abnormal discharge or unusual behavior, consulting the veterinary aid centre for help if illness is suspected, Protected the animals against common diseases, in case of outbreak of contagious disease, immediately segregate the sick, in-contact and the healthy animals and take necessary disease control measures and conduct periodic tests for Mastitis etc,.Deworming the animals regularly, Examining the faeces of adult animals to detect eggs of internal parasites and treat the animals  and wash the animals from time to time to promote sanitation. SEVAI –OFI takes care of new born calf, Feeding colostrums to calf, Assisting the calf to suckle if it is too weak to suckle on its own within 30 minutes of calving,. In case it is desired to wean the calf immediately after birth, then feed the colostrums in bucket, Keeping the calf separately from birth till two months of age in a dry clean and well ventilated place, .Protecting the calves against extreme weather conditions, particularly during the first two months, Grouping the calves according to their size and vaccinate calves, and the female calves should be properly reared. This SEVAI-OFI Project supports the surrounding farmers in proper training on cow rearing project.-Govin