ARVIND KUMAR’S hopes were high when he bought two Jersey cows in 2019 by taking a loan of ₹1 lakh from his relative. “Despite constant care, the cows would often fall sick. Milk production would reduce in summers because of heat stress. Impregnating the cows, which is essential for lactation, was also difficult,” says the farmer from Durgapura village in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh. Last year, he sold off the cows and bought three indigenous cows for ₹32,000.
Surender Sahoo, a farmer from Patapur village in Cuttack district of Odisha, narrates a similar story. “We make every effort to provide them cool interiors, but in summers exotic cows always foam at the mouth and wheeze. Their milking capacity also reduces drastically,” says Sahoo. Two years ago, he sold one of his two Jersey cows and now plans to sell the other one as well. He also has two indigenous cows, which he says are better accustomed to heat stress and diseases.
This story is from the November 16, 2023 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 16, 2023 edition of Down To Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Look Beyond Dust
Reinvent National Clean Air Programme to focus on fine particulate matter and trans-boundary pollution
PLAN THEM COOL
As urban India turns into a heat trap, the government must focus on improving cities' liveability
Vision 2030
Economic growth must take into account needs of energy transition, climate mitigation, with action aligned as per India's 2030 climate goals
FIX OUR FOOD
Chemical-dependent farming, lax labelling laws, rising anti-microbial resistance must top the agenda
BATTLE THE CAR BULGE
Clean, affordable, integrated and accessible public transport the only solution
CONSERVE NOW
Disregard for biodiversity conservation over the past two decades needs immediate redressal
SCRAP THE DUMP
Disincentivise garbage dumping, invest in behavioural change
THINK LONG-TERM
India needs continued emphasis on flagship programmes, aligned to long-term planning that focusses on water security and circular economy in a climate-risked era
OVERHAUL OVERDUE
Hold polluting industries accountable for public health risks, environmental hazards, climate change; provide them support for green transition
IT'S NOW OR NEVER
Clean energy sectors need demand-driven markets and domestic industries that can cater to the entire value chain