Dairy farming helps brothers hike income manifold

Tribune News Service

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Amritsar, March 18

Setting up an example, two brothers of Nag Khurd village in Majitha constituency have increased their income manifold by venturing into dairy farming. Their success story can encourage many unemployed youths for adopting allied activities related to agriculture.

Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat along with officials of the Animal Husbandry Department visited Nag Khurd village and appreciated their efforts today. Ravi Inder Singh (33) and his brother Preet Inder Singh (30), ventured into the dairy farming with two and half acres. They said though they were into dairy farming for the past one decade, it was only from last seven to eight years that they after being encouraged by initiatives taken by the state government decided to put in their best.

The duo now has 225 cows and supply 2,700 litre of milk daily. They said 13 labourers worked in their dairy farm. Two automatic machines were used to milk cows, they added. They said, “We supply milk to the people of the area. The remaining or extra milk is sold to companies like Amul.”

They participated in the Livestock Championship organised by the Punjab government in Muktsar district recently. Their cow produced 59 litre milk and stood second in the state during the championship. Ravi said, “If the government extends some more support to dairy farmers in marketing their produce and makes arrangements for the quality check of milk of various dairies, then it will be a great help to boost dairy farming.”

He said there was a difference in the quality of milk supplied by them as compared to the other dairies.

Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said the Punjab government was making efforts to boost allied activities related to agricultural. Successful farmers would be a great source to propagate dairy farming in the region, he added.

Stressing on the need for adopting allied activities, the DC said the state government imparted free of cost training, subsidy and loans through various banks to boost dairy and other allied activities.

Bhagat said to motivate farmers as well as unemployed youth towards allied activities, the Punjab government organised livestock championship in every district wherein breed competitions of animals in 50 different categories and milking contests of cows, buffaloes and goats were held. The winners were given cash prize worth Rs 5.15 lakh. They also got an opportunity to participate in the National Livestock Competition held in Muktsar wherein the prize money was equivalent to Rs 1.50 crore.