Diet for stray livestock a concern, says Animal Husbandry DG

Tribune News Service

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Karnal, February 7

Dr GS Jakhar, Director-General, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Haryana, said there were a large number of stray livestock that were either roaming freely or being kept in gaushalas. Providing them with a proper diet was a major concern and farmers and scientists had to work for meeting the demand of fodder.

He was here to chair a session on the second day of the 16th Biennial Animal Nutrition Conference on innovative approaches for animal feeding and nutrition research organised by the Animal Nutrition Society of India and the NDRI. As many as 300 delegates from 22 states and 50 delegates from various countries, including the US, the UK and Norway, took part in the conference.

During two special sessions, farmers from various parts of the country interacted with scientists and industrialists. They also visited the exhibition organised by industrialists and research institutions.

Lauding farmers as well as scientists, Jakhar said: “Growth in milk and egg production in Haryana is more than 6 and 5 per cent, respectively, and the state is almost free from the foot-and-mouth disease.”

“More than 80 per cent of the milk is being produced by just 20 per cent of animals which provides a lot of opportunities to increase the milk production in India by improving the milk yield of the rest 80 per cent animals,” said Dr AK Srivastava, Director, NDRI.

He suggested that although they should keep on working on the genetic upgrade of animal, a good quality animal feed could be a major factor in improving milk production in the country.

Dr Amit Sarogi, chairman, Compound Feed Manufacturers Association, said: “Livestock industry in India is facing a shortage of animal feed.”