COIMBATORE: With the State Animal Husbandry Department continuing to attach great importance to Frozen Semen Bank activity to develop cross-bred bulls, the number of milch cows has come down drastically over the years leading to imminent closure of milk production unit/dairy at the department farm in Ooty.
The animal husbandry farm spreading over 200 acres at Thetukkal on the outskirts of Ooty town is stated to be the oldest and biggest dairy farm in the state. Started in 1916 for milk production, it became government animal husbandry farm in 1961. Fodder and milk were produced in large quantities in the farm for supply throughout the Nilgiris district.
After the District Cooperative Milk Producers Union, known as Aavin, was started, the animal husbandry department, under the guidance of the successive governments, curtailed the milk production gradually and switched over to developing frozen semen bank.
“As a result, the 200-strong workforce of the farm has been now reduced to 85 now. Now 100 litres of milk is produced and distributed to the farm employees’ quarters and nearby areas. The number of milch cows has also decreased to 20.
The milk production unit in the farm may be closed any time throwing half the present workforce jobless. We have already requested the Commissioner of Animal Husbandry during his recent visit to the farm to continue its functioning. He assured that no worker would lose employment in view of the authority reducing the significance to the dairy”, an employee said.
According to sources, already a pig rearing unit and a poultry unit in the farm were closed. Fodder is still cultivated to feed the cattle during dry season from January to May. Even more than 10 acres of farm land has been converted into a helipad which is used for landing of VIPs helcopters. There is a proposal to run commercial copters through private participation to boost tourism.
The Central Government has also proposed to create a hi-tech sports centre. Hence, there is a possibility of the government taking farm lands for these purposes.
When contacted, sources from the Regional Joint Director’s (RJD) office, Animal Husbandry Department, Coimbatore, confirmed that more importance was being given to fozen smen bank resulting in reduction in milk production and the number of milch cows at the farm. However, there is no immediate closure of the dairy, the sources added.
Nilgiris District Unit of Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association has decided to take up the issue with the government.