| Dr. P.George kunju John, Dubai
George@aksugar.ae |
| Dear FRIENDS, My sincere wish for a
prosperous and sumptuous Onam, 2009. Last month I could visit
Kerala and observe the conditions there. The animal industry in
Kerala , I could perceive is still in infant stage. Even though
milk cooperatives were established under ‘Operation Flood’
program implemented by NDDB milk is still scarce and dear.
Colossal amount of milk is imported daily from neighboring
states. Milma the Govt managed dairy cooperative fight to cater
milk to the Kerala public. It is worth to ponder why the milk
industry is unable to meet the demand of the common man for
milk. There is no organized sector for meat and egg industry.
Again meat and egg are served from Tamil nadu or Karnataka. One
of the mute problem raised by some of my friends is the shortage
of feeds. Kerala has several large feed plants and large
quantities of feeds are imported from other states too. The bulk
of dairy feed in Kerala is fibrous feed ( CP 14% with CF 16-18).
The bulk of the feed is Deoiled Rice bran, Sunflower Ext,
Tapioca tippy and Rice husks. The best bypass protein – Coconut
extractions is re-imported to Kerala. Owing to acute shortage of
fodder farmers feed their cows low quality fibrous concentrates.
The low fat and low SNF milk is common in the state. While
travelling length and breadth of the state I could view thick
green herbages and tree leaves in the state. There will be huge
quantities of forest grass available in the state. These fibrous
feed could be processed and preserved for feeding the ruminants
in the state. The normal feed mills can’t handle it. The high
efficient grinders are to be developed along with better pellet
mills. The normal pellet mills designed for high protein/energy
low fibrous feed are not suitable. The feed technology
development work could be taken up in joint collaboration with
KAU, Milma and NDDB. The above approach would offset the feed
shortage significantly. Moreover, the theory of ‘feed less
produce more’ which was our axiom while I was heading the R&D in
NDDB would bring up envious changes in the state. Of course, the
bulk of feed may come down which may be opposed by the feed
marketing personnel. The model ‘broiler goat’ concept I could
develop in Kerala in nineties by rearing goats with zero fodder
may alleviate the meat industry. Bottom line is we need feed
technology and nutrition instead of feed plants operations. I
thought of sharing my thoughts with our friends. |
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