SEVAI-OFI-Volunteers cow project trains farmers in cow farming

Cow fodder preparation training to cow farmers

A total of 136 cow farmers in and around Sirugamani underwent orientation training on dairy, fodder and cooperatives in SEVAI-OFI-Cow Volunteers project at Sirugamani.The programme was organized by the SEVAI-OFI-Cow Volunteers. The participants visited the SEVAI-OFI-Cow farm K.Devendran, A.Pichaimani, French volunteers Hugues and Vanitha were the resource persons. K.Devendran urged the cow farmers to adopt technologies for scientific dairy farming, fodder for animal food security and additional revenue generation through by-product of the dairy for setting up organic manure units.A.Pichaimani appealed to the cow farmers to start dairy micro enterprise, cultivate perennial green fodder like CO 4 to reduce the production cost of milk, prepare and market value added milk products for additional income.K.Devendran mentioned that  this SEVAI-OFI-Cow Volunteers project has been established to enhance the milk production capacity and the associated activities through periodic training  of the cow farmers in this area.K.Devendran further mentioned that a cooperative in the name of Meenashipuram milk cooperative has been established in SEVAI Centre, Sirugamani and the same has been approved by Government of Tamilnadu. He appreciated the interest shown by the cow farmers of Sirugamani and the surrounding villages to take part in this cooperative and also in its branches.Vanitha mentioned to the household cow farmers those attended the training that Dairying is an important source of subsidiary income to small/marginal farmers and agricultural labourers. The manure from animals provides a good source of organic matter for improving soil fertility and crop yields. The gober gas from the dung is used as fuel for domestic purposes. The surplus fodder and agricultural by-products are gainfully utilised for feeding the animals. Since agriculture is mostly seasonal, there is a possibility of finding employment throughout the year for many persons through dairy farming. Thus, dairy also provides employment throughout the year. The main beneficiaries of dairy programmes are small/marginal farmers and landless labourers. A farmer can earn a gross surplus of about Rs. 24,000 per year from a unit consisting of 2 milking cows. Even more profits can be earned depending upon the breed of animal, well feeding, managerial skills and marketing potential. Dairy farming can also be taken up as a main occupation as the demand for milk is high.Sakthivel; a field functionary of SEVAI enlightened Scope for Dairy Farming and its Importance, Financial Assistance Available from Banks for Dairy Farming, Scheme Formulation for bank loan, Scrutiny of Schemes by banks and Technical Feasibility. Thangaraj another resource person of cow project detailed the participants pertaining to  the Economic Viability of the cow farm, Insurance, Package of Common Management Practices, shelter, cow feed, Selection of Animal, Feeding of Milch Animals, Milking of Animals, Protection against Diseases, Breeding Care, Care during Pregnancy ,Marketing of Milk, Care of Calves, Location, Land and Land Development, Civil Structures, Equipment/Plant and Machinery, Housing, Production parameters, Herd projection, Feeding, Electricity,Water,financial aspects, infrastructural facilities”. K.Devendran such training program will be organized periodically in SEVAI-OFI-Volunteers cow project at Sirugamani and their target is to reach 3000 cow farmers in training and milk production and optimum use of by-products.-Govin