THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dairy farmers will be paid Rs 70 a day per head of cattle towards upkeep costs in view of the drought, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister K Raju said on Wednesday.
A sum of Rs 70 is for the upkeep of adult cattle while Rs 35 has been fixed as the amount for calves, the minister told reporters. The payment will begin in February, but its duration has not been finalised, the minister said.
‘’This is the first time such an assistance is being given to farmers in the state. The assistance will be provided on the basis of data in the cattle census,’’ he said. Dairy farmers are faced with a major crisis with milk yield and availability of fodder grass and water decreasing in the run-up to the summer.
According to the latest cattle census conducted in 2012, there are 12 lakh cross-bred cattle in the state.
They form the mainstay of internal milk production. There are 70,000 indigenous cows and one lakh buffaloes. In fact, the population of cross-breeds has dipped from six lakh in 2007 to 12 lakh in 2012.
The state government had also considered establishing cattle camps in view of the drought and impending summer, the minister said.
“Cattle camps in every district were under consideration, but it is fraught with practical issues,’’ he said.