Economic Development of Rural India The Indian cow Model

Abstract

India witnessed the green revolution through the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and hybrid seeds of different cereals, pulses etc. in order to have suffi­cient food for our ever-increasing population. We are number one in the world in milk production, which is achieved through importation of exotic animals, crossbreeding with indigenous cows and buffaloes. However, the crossbreeding programme seems to be not sus­tainable as there is increased susceptibility of animals for various kinds of infections. If we look for an overall picture of animal husbandry sector, we find that many indigenous things we lost to achieve white revolution. It could have been achieved even after the selection and upgradation of indigenous cattle. We have cow breeds for milk, draught and multipurpose and thereby­ maintaining the resistance in animals vis-à-vis high milk yield. If we look back, we find huge number of cattle population in our country and at that time one was con­sidered rich because of its cattle wealth. Agricultural operations, transportation, wars, marriages, etc. were dependent on animal husbandry sector mainly on qual­ity bullocks which are produced by indigenous animals besides milk. Also, there was a scope of medicinal prop­erties of indigenous cow products like milk, ghee, dahi, urine and dung. These five things together were named as “Panchgavya” in Ayurveda which were found to cure many human ailments. However, this scientific knowl­edge does not get proper attention as it is in Sanskrit language which, we are generally not able to under­stand because the scientific education is imparted in English and after independence, we became inclined towards the western theories and living standards. But now everyone is looking for alternatives as the western policy on medical sciences including the advent of antibiotics are not sustainable in changing environmental scenario.