Š Dinodia
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The Livestock Mission to help bridge the demand-supply gap in livestock products, has been allocated a paltry Rs 307 crore, which is too little compared to the magnitude of the task million tonnes in 2012-13. Similarly, the output of meat, eggs and fish has made remarkable gains. Yet their growth has been unable to match the steady rise in demand and, thus, needs a further boost. It is, however, a pity that the proposed Livestock Mission, which will strive to help bridge this demandsupply gap in livestock products, has been allocated a paltry Rs 307 crore in the 2013-14 budget, which seems too little compared to the magnitude of the task. Simultaneously, Mr Chidambaram announced a sub-mission for increasing the availability of feed and fodder. In addition, a small mission is to be set up to improve animal breeds to enhance their inherent production potential. Adequate availability of good quality fodder and feed is vital not only for sustaining high growth in the livestock sector but also for the success of any programme for genetic improvement of farm animals. At present, the availability of fodder has been severely constrained due to rapid shrinkage of natural pastures and common grazing lands besides the deterioration in their green cover. The Farmers’ Forum April-May 2013
net shortage of green fodder is officially assessed at some 34 per cent. The prices of dry feeds and feed concentrates, too, are spiraling. It may be worth recalling that a centrallysponsored scheme for fodder and feed development was introduced in 2010 to supplement the efforts of the state governments to promote fodder production. Subsequently, an Accelerated Fodder Development Programme was also launched in 2011-12. With the adoption of the mission mode approach, as proposed in the 2013-14 budget, the fodder and feed development efforts can get the much needed shot in the arm but only if adequate funds are made available for this purpose – which does not seem to be the case. In the field of natural resource management, the budget has rightly focused on watershed development approach as the major means for conserving soil and water resources. This aspect has assumed all the more importance due to the unabated degradation of the natural assets like soil and water, leading to loss in farm productivity.