Govt to allow milch cattle rearing in urban areas

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 22

“Cattle as paying guests” is Haryana’s offer to affluent persons living in urban areas and wanting to rear their own cattle for milk. The government has decided to introduce this all-new concept to facilitate people living in high-rise buildings in urban areas.

Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Om Prakash Dhankar, while addressing mediapersons here today, said under this first of its kind project about 50 to 100 acres would be earmarked in a town to set up ‘PG hostels for cattle’, thus providing a central place for milch cattle.

“City people wanting to rear their cattle can use this facility, which will be privately owned. Basically, a dairy farmer will look after cattle owned by others in his farm for a payment. The cattle owner can get supply of milk from this farm for his personal use. The first such farm will come up in Hisar where we have land available,” Dhankar said.

He added that the government was also in the process of establishing dairies in urban areas so as to boost the white revolution in the state. The government was providing interest free loan for up to seven years to set up dairy units of up to 50 milch animals.

Dhankar said Governor Kaptan Singh would inaugurate a three-day Haryana Swarna Jayanti Cattle Fair to be organised at Jhajjar from October 27. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar would be the chief guest of the concluding day function on October 29. A catwalk of indigenous cattle would also be organised in the fair. About 15,000 farmers would be invited every day to the mela to motivate them to take up cattle rearing.

He added that for the first time, a fair of quality cattle would be organised with the objective of making Haryana the best state in milk production. About 2,500 cattle would participate in the mega event. A prize money of Rs 9 crore would be given to the best cattle in the mela. People would be able to sell and purchase cattle this time.

Dhankar said the mela would be organised keeping in view the four aspects of the dairy industry—breed, technology, maintaining temperature and fodder. Special emphasis would be laid on all these four aspects through seminars.

Sugarcane SAP to be announced soon

Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister OP Dhankar said the state advisory price (SAP) of sugarcane would be announced before the start of the crushing season. Sugar mills would likely start in the first week of November.