ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/31/2005 14 December 2005
Australian researchers help Indian farmers increase income with a boost in milk production
A cattle feed plant will be commissioned today in Godhra, Gujarat, which will provide a significant improvement in income for many small village farmers. The by-pass protein plant is expected to produce fifty tones of processed by-pass protein meal per day.
Dr Suresh Gulati, University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Dr M R Garg at the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) of India are working on a research project funded by ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) to help increase the productivity of ruminants in India, including dairy cattle and buffalo by using a “protected” or “by-pass” protein supplement.
“Because most of the nutritious grains are used to feed India’s large human population, dairy cattle are often left with a diet of straw and stubble, the residues of farming products. This sort of diet lacks the protein and energy necessary for optimal milk production,” explains Dr Gulati.
The small amount of protein that is ingested from the poor quality roughage is mostly broken down in the rumen (forestomach) of the cow by micro-organisms. By developing a technology that protects the protein from being degraded in the rumen, greater quantities of essential amino acids are absorbed in the small intestine, effectively increasing the nutrient intake of the cow and resulting in greater milk production.
“The challenge is to produce the most effective form of un-degradable rumen protein and to prove that inclusion of these supplements in the diet of lactating ruminants produces a worthwhile economic return to dairy farmers,” says Dr Gulati.
“This cattle feed plant has the potential to provide a large increase in disposable income for farmers,” says Mr David Holly, Australia’s Deputy High Commissioner to India. “The incorporation of the feed will result in an overall net increase in annual income of Rs 4302 per farmer providing the farmer with extra income for food, education and health”, he adds.
Dr Kuhu Chatterjee, Regional Manager, ACIAR says, “We have funded this collaborative research project since March 2000. The first prototype unit producing 50 tonnes of by-pass protein was established in 2002 at Itola (Vadodara) in Gujarat and it has been very successful”. This is the second by-pass protein plant and is a part of the Panchmahal district co-operative milk producers union located at Godhra, with approximately 180,000 farmer members.
Even though India leads the world in dairy production, there is still space for improvement. India produces over 90 million tonnes of milk annually and over 300 million head of cattle are responsible for this high milk production. However, these cattle are not found in groups of thousands on large dairy farms and instead belong to 11 million small village farmers whose entire dairy animal herds are made up of two to three animals. Despite the overall vast production of milk and dairy products, each animal contributes minimally to the total yield, producing on average only 3-5 litres per day.
With the help of scientists working with ACIAR, the department hopes that there will be a boost in milk production which will translate into a significant increase in economic gain for the village farmers.
To talk to the Project Leader, Dr Suresh Gulati, please contact 0419 194 986 or contact Libby Greig on 0418 194 554.
Contacts:
Dr Suresh Gulati, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney.
Ph: 0419 194 986; email: [email protected]
Dr Peter Rolf, Australian Centre for International Agriculture Research (ACIAR) Canberra. Ph: 61 2 6217 0500
Dr M R Garg, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Anand, India Ph: 91 2692 260148
Dr Kuhu Chatterjee, ACIAR Regional Manager, South Asia, New Delhi, India. Ph: 9111 51399925
Ms Jennie Churchill, Veterinary Science Foundation, University of Sydney. Ph: 61 2 9351 8024.