Dairy farming, in spite of being a major livelihood source in the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh, often faces many issues such as lower price realisation for milk. The organized milk marketing structure of the state is one of the weakest in the country. Lower remunerative returns have affected the attitude of farmers towards dairy farming. As a solution to such problems, innovative farmer organisations are making progress in the state. These organisations offer input services at lower prices at farmers' doorstep. They also buy milk at prices higher than prevailing rates. The reported evidences of dairy interventions through farmer producer organizations are still minimal from this region. The present study assessed the functioning of dairy based producer organisations in hills of Himachal Pradesh. Three farmer producer organizations engaged in community mobilization through Self Help Groups were selected for the study. The benefits accrued by members of these organisations range from input availability, extension advisory, credit support and veterinary services.
The present study was undertaken used to determine the effect of positive dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) based diet on nutrient intake and growth of crossbred calves in summer. Female crossbred calves (18) were blocked into three equal groups on the basis of their average body weight. The calves received a basal diet (control) or one supplemented with either +250 (S1) or +350 mEq/kg DM (S2) of dietary cation anion difference based diet. The dry matter intake (DMI) was significantly higher in S1 and S2 groups as compared to control. There was no effect of dietary treatments on digestibility of nutrients. The overall average daily gain (ADG) was significantly higher in S2 group as compared to control. Nitrogen intake, balance and urine pH increased significantly with increasing level of DCAD in diet. Sodium (Na) and potassium (K) intakes were significantly higher in treatment groups as compared to control group. However, Na and K balance were significantly higher in S2 group as compared to control. Intake and balance of Cl (chloride), S (sulphur), Ca (calcium) and P (phosphorus) were not affected by positive DCAD diet. Positive DCAD diets of +250 and +350 mEq/kg DM improved the nutrient intake and growth of crossbred calves by ameliorating climatic stress.
Community fodder banks have been advocated as one of the promising solutions to minimize fodder scarcity in India. Unfortunately, the popularization of such extension activities has remained woefully weak across the country and very few initiatives have been undertaken in this regard. An action-oriented participatory approach was initiated in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh to establish community fodder banks. The approach involved convergence among CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur; Himmothan Society, Palampur; NABARD, Shimla; local Panchayati Raj institutions and ICAR-IVRI, Palampur. The women dairy farmers were mobilized into self-help groups. Awareness meetings followed by site selection, cleaning of the area, land preparation, plantation, fencing and periodical visits were conducted. Four community fodder banks were established in waste and unused common lands, and 669.53 quintals of green fodder was harvested at established fodder banks in 1 year period (July2020-August 2021). The cost of setting up fodder banks in the convergence approach ranged from `1.03 lakhs to `2.05 lakhs. The transformation of wasteland into fodder plots through project intervention has improved fodder availability in the region and will expand livestock-based livelihoods. The public-private partnership mode helped to bring convergence in activities of the project implementing organizations through sharing of work, strengths and knowledge exchange.
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