The College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry of Birsa Agricultural University examined and treated about two thousand (2000) dairy animals for infertility and examined cow dung for parasitic load in 19 aspirational districts of Jharkhand. About five thousand farmers participated in the awareness programmes on these aspects. Two such awareness camps were organized in all the 19 districts. About 250 farmers participated and 100 animals were treated in each camp.
The programme was conducted in collaboration with Department of Animal Husbandry, Govt of Jharkhand under an ambitious pan-India project “Pashudhan Jagriti Abhiyan (PJA) sponsored by the Government of India’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ministry of Rural Development. Krishi Vigyan Kendras having animal scientist also collaborated in the camps. The 19 aspirational districts include Sahibganj, Pakur, Godda, West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum, Chatra, Palamu, Bokao, Garhwa, Dumka, Ramgarh, Giridih, Hazaribagh, Latehar, Ranchi, Lohardaga, Simdega, Khunti and Gumla.
PJA nodal officer and Dean, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry Dr Sushil Prasad said repeat breeding and anestrous has to be checked and cured as early as possible for early and regular calving. It is attributable to many causes which might be infectious, non infectious or genetic in nature. Even a simple unawareness about balanced ration and or deworming might lead to infertility. He also outlined the importance of the fertility camp initiated by the Government of India to promote Dairy farming and increase milk production.
Dr Basant Kumar, Dr Thanesh Oraon, Dr Umesh Kumar and Dr Madhurendra Bachchan, Assistant Professors of the College dwelt on the potential of milk production and dairy sector in generating livelihood opportunities. They stressed on adopting improved breeding strategies, scientific feeding, fodder cultivation and also prevention of various diseases by vaccination and regular deworming.
Farmer-scientist interaction programmes were also organized in all the districts to address farmers’ queries related to dairy farming operation. Medicines, feed supplements and mineral mixture supplied by Indian Immunologicals were distributed among the farmers in each camp.
The aspirational district programme (ADP) coordinated by NITI Aayog aims to quickly and effectively transform 112 most under-developed districts across the country through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) under 5 broad socio-economic themes - Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development and Infrastructure. Among states, Jharkhand has the largest number of aspirational districts.
