Alappuzha: Dairy farmers are still suffering

ALAPPUZHA: The dairy and poultry farmers, who suffered huge losses following the August floods, continue to be in dire straits. Though the Animal Husbandry Department had estimated a loss of Rs 21.5 crore in the district, only Rs 4 crore has been approved for disbursal so far.

The district which used to produce over 10,6000 lakh litres of milk per day witnessed a dip touching 60,000 lakh litres after the floods. Many dairy farmers have failed to meet the expenses of milk production.

As per the government norms, a farmer is eligible to get Rs 30,000 to buy fresh productive cattle. Dairy farmer N. Ratheesan, 51, Vavakkadu, Kut-tamangalam, Kainakary panchayat, says he was forced to sell out his three yielding cows at a throwaway price of Rs 38,000 during the floods. He had given 12 litres to the local cooperative society daily before the floods.

Now it has come down to just seven litres. He suffered a loss of over Rs 28,000. Only one cow is left with him.

“I had applied for a new cow through the society. But the officials said that the government would pay only Rs 27, 500, though we need at least Rs 55,000 for buying a yielding cow. I cannot make such a huge amount at this juncture,” he said.

Another farmer Sudheesh hailing from Kayalparambu, Kainakary, had also sold out his two cows before the floods.  He does not want to restart his business due to the high price of cattle feed and the health problems of cattle.

According to AHD data, 475 cows, 32 buffaloes, 146 cubs, 3,500 heifers, 2,994 goats, 1.34 lakh chicken and 3.6 lakh ducks perished in the district due to floods.  Meanwhile, the dairy department is confident of getting over the crisis by next fiscal.

Milk production has picked up. As per the details recorded in the cooperative societies in January, there is only a gap of 6000 litres in milk production between post and pre-flood times.

The dairy department has distributed 245 cows through 49 cooperative societies so far.

At least 105 cattle have been made available to the farmers under ‘Donate a cattle’ scheme introduced by the district administration. An amount of Rs 30,000 is not enough to buy a productive cow. “But we are trying to get the maximum benefit to registered farmers,” said K.G. Sreelatha, district dairy officer.

Meanwhile, an AHD official said a list of 17,000 beneficiaries had been approved by the government and Rs 4 crore had been credited to veterinary offices for distribution.

“A proposal of additional Rs 1.7 crore was also sent to the government for approval,” said Dr. Mary James, district officer, AHD. According to Dr. James, the AHD has distributed 400 cows, 630 cubs and 3,728 goats to the farmers so far.  A sum of Rs 1.75 crore has been spent for constructing elevated cow shelters.

“Medicines and treatments are available in all the veterinary hospitals. If a dairy farmer faces any problem, we will provide all the care and treatment to their animals,” said the district officer.