Explained: The ‘indigenous’ cow and economics of Maharashtra’s subsidy scheme

Maharashtra’s proposal

The subsidy strategy to sphere desi breeds of cows volition beryllium implemented by a Goseva Ayog, which volition person scrutiny committees successful each districts. Gaushalas that location indigenous breeds volition person to use online, and the subsidy volition beryllium released aft the district-level committee submits a report.

The numbers of indigenous cows were connected the decline, the authorities said. According to the 20th Livestock Census conducted successful 2019, Maharashtra had 46,13,632 cows nether the “indigenous/ nondescript” category. This was 8.7% little than the colonisation of 50,53,490 for these cows recorded successful the erstwhile Census (2012).

The authoritative authorities solution (GR) for the strategy is yet to beryllium released. It is, therefore, not wide whether the subsidy volition beryllium for each cows nether the indigenous/ nondescript category, oregon lone for those animals that are certified arsenic indigenous. It is financially not feasible to supply Rs 50/ time to 46 lakh cows.

Indigenous vs nondescript

Indigenous cows are those that beryllium to immoderate of the breeds registered arsenic specified by the Karnal-based National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, a assemblage nether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) that aims to “protect and conserve indigenous workplace carnal familial resources for sustainable utilisation and livelihood security”.

Nondescript cows, connected the different hand, person nary recognised breed characteristics.

Cows successful Maharashtra

The Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Commissionerate defines indigenous cows arsenic including some descript and nondescript animals, with the second having astatine slightest 50% indigenous-breed blood. A ample proportionality of the state’s cattle colonisation comprises nondescript animals with little than 50% humor of immoderate recognised indigenous breed.

There are 19 breeds of indigenous cows successful Maharashtra. Khillari accounts for fractional the indigenous cattle colonisation successful the state. The breed is favoured by farmers for its sturdiness and imaginable for usage arsenic a draught animal. Most of the state’s Khillari cattle colonisation is recovered successful Pune division, wherever bullock cart races are held regularly.

Other indigenous breeds successful Maharashtra see Deoni, Red Kandhari, Sahiwal, and Tharparkar.

Desi milch animals

There are 37 indigenous cattle breeds successful India, of which lone 4 are bully milch animals, Dr Nayaran Hegde, erstwhile president of the Pune-based nonprofit BAIF Development Research Foundation, said. The immense bulk of indigenous breeds are chiefly utilized for agriculture and transport.

Indigenous breeds nutrient lone 3.44 kg of beverage per time connected average, compared to 8.55 kg per time for exotic/ crossbred animals, according to the cardinal government’s Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS) 2023.

While Indian breeds are hardier and believed to beryllium amended suited to Indian conditions, for farmers, beverage accumulation is key.

Arguments for desi

The conservation of indigenous breeds has agelong been connected the docket of the BJP some astatine the Centre and successful the state. The National Gokul Mission which was launched successful December 2014 had a constituent of the preservation and promotion of indigenous breeds of bovine animals. The determination of the Eknath Shinde authorities has travel arsenic the authorities heads to Assembly elections.

Advocates for desi breeds assertion they nutrient ‘A2’ milk, which is expected to beryllium healthier than the ‘A1’ beverage produced by animals that person been crossed with exotic breeds similar Holstein Friesian, Jersey, and Brown Swiss. A1 and A2 incorporate familial variants of proteins, which disagree successful their amino acerb sequence.

There is nary technological statement connected whether A2 beverage is truly healthier. Dr Hegde said the claims astir A2 are not supported by probe oregon crushed observations. In August, the nutrient information regulator Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) advised Food Business Operators (FBOs) to not marketplace their beverage and beverage products “in the sanction of A1 and A2”, but withdrew the advisory days later.

Subsidy and prices

The strategy has been announced for animals reared successful gaushalas, and not by farmers. Most farmers are much keen connected remunerative prices for their milk. While the authorities authorities has announced a Rs 5/ litre subsidy to farmers battling debased realisations, the merchandise of the subsidy is conditional upon farmers receiving a basal terms of Rs 30/ litre from dairies. And astir dairies are not paying much than Rs 27-28 per litre of milk.