Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 13: The dairying sector of Dakshina Kannada district appears to be in doldrums. During the past two years, the district has witnessed a reduction in the number of cattle by about 12,000. Though dairying is known as a profitable vocation, there are no clear cut reasons for the reverses suffered by the sector. 

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services undertakes the programme of vaccinating the cattle against foot and mouth disease annually. When the department prepared a list of its target and achievement, the shocking revelation about the reduction in cattle came to the fore.

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Dakshina Kannada district had a total of 2,52,401 cattle two years ago, which now has come down to 2,40,650 resulting in a deficit of 11,751 cattle. There was a notion that during the two Covid 19 waves, many had moved to agriculture and dairying sectors. But as far as Dakshina Kannada district is concerned, the progress appears to have been made only  in the agricultural sector but not in dairying. Dairy farmers point out that dairying is a capital intensive sector where farmers have to spend on feed, labour, hay, foliage for manure etc. 

As per the department statistics, the reduction in the numbers has been the highest in Beltangady taluk with about 4,148 cattle. Puttur and Kadaba taluks, which used to register good business in dairying, have recorded a decline of, 2 775 and 2,275 cattle respectively.