In Maharashtra, as per 2012 animal census the total livestock is over three crore that includes 1.55 crore – cow, Bull and bullocks, 55 lakh – buffaloes while remaining one crore goat and sheep's etc.
Drought conditions across the state has severely impacted the production of milk. Daily milk productions has gone down by almost seven lakh litre per day and is likely to worsen in coming days.
According to the state diary commissioner, Maharashtra's daily milk collection is 123 lakh litre per day in month of September. "In June and July, it was 120 lakh litre per day. The milk production has down. We have to access that the reason behind the lower milk productions and do the course correction immediately," said Rajeev Jadhav, dairy commissioner.
He said that this is October and December is the best season to increase the milk production. "Most of the milk, we are getting from the corporate and private diaries. We are mainly getting milk from Nasik, Ahamadnagar, Pune and Kolhapur region," Jadhav said
In Maharashtra, as per 2012 animal census the total livestock is over three crore that includes 1.55 crore – cow, Bull and bullocks, 55 lakh – buffaloes while remaining one crore goat and sheep's etc.
Niteen Makarandey, professor at College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Parbhani in Marathwada said that the milk production in Marathwada has down by almost 20%. "It is quite expensive to keep the livestock now. The cost of the fodder has gone up while the prices of the milk are not increased. Besides, the water and fodder is major issue. Farmers feel that in summer, it will be difficult for them to maintain the livestock. Therefore, they are preferring to sale them today rather than see them suffering later," Makarandey added.
The cost of one buffalo for a week is goes more than Rs 3,000 including fodder, labour etc. "While the income from this same buffalo who gives the 7-8 litre milk per day is barely Rs 1800-2000 per week. So that the out put cost is more than the income. Therefore, currently most of the cattle market are flooded with cattle. This is the major concern and that can have impact on several levels," Makarandey who is also experts in dairy farming.
Raju Shetty, Member of Parliament and farmer leader said that if Maharashtra government is serious and concern about drought and lowering milk productions, then they should immediately start the fodder camp at drought prone localities. "Besides; they should also start giving work labours and farmers. Otherwise; after selling their animals ; farmers will start flocking towards Mumbai -Pune like cities in search of work. This year drought is quite sever. Government need to understand the gravity of ground situations and take the appropriate measures to mitigate the severity of drought ," Shetty warned.
A COSTLY AFFAIR
- Dairy experts say that production of milk has decreased and might decrease further due to a variety of reasons. It has become very expensive to maintain livestock
- Cost of fodder has gone up but, that of milk has not been increased
- Maintenance cost of one buffalo in a week amounts to more than Rs 3,000. Income from the same buffalo who is Rs 1,800-2,000 per week
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