Commercializing the Livestock Enterprises in India

Livestock rearing is the major subsidiary occupation in most part of our country. But keeping in view its potentiality for generating employment and providing food security to the country it needs to be taken up as a main occupation. This can happen only when the rural people are motivated to practice commercial livestock rearing rather than the subsistence or semi-commercial type of animal rearing.

For starting any livestock enterprise commercially on scientific lines, the rural youth can avail loan from banks. For obtaining bank loan, the farmers/entrepreneurs can apply to the nearest branch of commercial, cooperative or regional rural banks in the prescribed application form, which is available in the branches of the financing banks.

Necessary help or guidance can be obtained from the technical officer for preparation of the project report which is a prerequisite for sanction of loan. The bank approves the loan on the basis of the economic viability of the project submitted. There are various livestock enterprises, which can be practised on commercial scale and can be started with small investment.

Development of Commercial Dairy Farms:

In starting dairy farm, it is essential to decide which animal to be taken for this purpose. Normally cow/buffalo is the choice for dairy enterprise. Both the animals are milch animals but they differ in many aspects in production. The cow can yield high amount of milk and can be very economical at high production level. They breed regularly, giving one calf at every 13-14 months interval.

Buffalo breed is also suitable for a commercial dairy farm. There is a greater demand for buffalo milk in the country because of its higher fat contents and its suitability for making ghee and other milk products. Other plus point in buffalo is that they can utilize crop residues with better efficiency than cows, and are more resistant to diseases.

However, buffalo largely mature late and have longer calving intervals (16-18 months). These animals also need additional cooling facilities, e.g., wallowing tank or showers/foggers with fan. Thus in a commercial farm, a combination of cow and buffalo could work better than growing cow or buffalo alone. Cross-bred cow and buffalo should be kept in separate row under one shed.

The minimum economic size of commercial dairy farm under Indian condition should contain a minimum 20 (10 cows and 10 buffaloes) especially for a suburban area. The economic viability of the unit will depend on the production performance of dairy animals and the rates of various items including feed, fodder and milk.

The following points in selection of milking cow and buffalo, land, labour, feed and fodder requirements should be considered for economic commercial dairy farming:

1. Production level of the half-bred, Holstein Friesian, Jersy, Red Dane, Brown Swiss crosses should range from 3500-5000 litres, with an overall average of 4000 litres in a standard lactation period of 300 days in case of cows and the daily milk production should be about 10/12 litres in case of buffalo.

2. Freshly calved cows and calved buffalo in the second and third lactation should be purchased, preferably, from Govt., farms or from well-established commercial dairy farms or breeding tract in the district of Haryana, Punjab or other region of availability at a price of 20,000/- and 25,000/- respectively. For higher milk production, well-recognized breeds like Murrah, Niliravi or Jafarbadi are the breeds for dairy purpose.

3. 70-75% of cows and 60-65% of buffalo should be in milk throughout the year.

4. The period between successive calving should be on an average of 14-15 months in case of cows and 15-16 months in case of buffalo.

5. A total of six acre of well fertile land with assured irrigation facilities is required for fodder production at a level of about 700 quintal/acre/year. In addition to it the 10950 sq ft., land for the construction of dairy shed and ancillary structure. Out of which under shed, paddock, store and office, manure pit and paved road and open space covered 2366, 3104, 875, 600, 4005 sq ft., respectively with construction cost @ Rs.100/-, 50/-, 150/-, 50/- and 25/-, respectively.

6. All cows and buffaloes at the farm should be insured against mortality.

7. One skilled person will be required to look after cow/buffalo and their followers. Therefore, two persons will be required to take care of all the activities of 20 cows/buffaloes dairy unit, which also includes the harvesting of fodders. Additional labour required at times, should be provided by the farmers himself and his family. The labour could be hired locally @ Rs.30,000/person/year.

8. Farm grown green fodder will be required @ 25-35 kg/cow or buffalo/day and production cost will be nearly Rs.15/- per quintal including the rental value of the land. Dry fodder (mainly wheat straw) will be required @ 2 kg/ animal/day and it will be purchased from the market during wheat harvesting season @ Rs.150/- per quintal. The concentrate mixture will be required on an average @ 4 kg/animal/day. It may be either home-made or commercial concentrate with its price about Rs.700/- per kg.

9. Under machinery and equipments a tractor with trailer including its implements, a feed grinder, a chaff cutter with 5HP electric motor, ten milk cane of 40 litres capacity, two hand driven trolley/cart to concentrate dispenser and mist cooling system in milking cow and buffalo shed with approx., cost Rs. 2.5, 0.25, 0.20 0.08, 0.02 and 0.15 lakh respectively.

10. There are some operations that have to be followed on a regular basis in the respective farms. It is to be adopted to minimize the loss of diseases. It is true that “Prevention is better than cure”.

Below mentioned practices will help to prevent the occurrence of diseases:

i. Dairy Management:

Milking animals, utensils, barn and paddock should also be cleaned. Feeding of half ration before morning milking and half ration before evening milking; separation of sick animals, identification of estrus animals, colostrum’s feeding to calf at proper time, balance feeding, exercise of bull, timely insemination, proper and timely vaccination, deworming, treatment of sick animals, keeping farm records and other miscellaneous work are the day to day activities which are to be followed sincerely.

Keeping farm records is a key operation in livestock rearing. Without proper records, one cannot know how the enterprise is going on. There are different types of records that are essential for the enterprise which includes cattle history and pedigree sheet, production and reproduction records, breeding/service register, feeding register, calving register, herd strength register, daily milk record register, expenditure record register, etc.

Record keeping is essential for evaluating the performance and for taking remedial actions to maximize profits. Thus, the essential farm records must be maintained at a dairy farm like date of birth, pedigree, inventory, livestock, growth rate monitoring, reproduction, daily milk production, health and veterinary, feeding, estimated values, periodic test of milk quality, business records, etc.

If we maintain these records, we may analyze the important information like reducing cost, proper utilization of land and labour, comparing performance with standard values, proper feeding of herd, making decision about culling of animals and facilitate in making claims from insurance companies. As far as economics of small dairy unit concern, Walli et al (2005) suggested that a livestock owner may get near about Rs.10000 as net income/animal/year.

Economics of Small Dairy Unit:

Development of Commercial Sheep Farms:

Keeping in view the ever-increasing population of our country there is tremendous pressure on our natural resources such as land and water. Especially in the light of the marginalization of agricultural land holding sheep rearing is a better option as compared to other livestock, more so, in the semi-arid and the arid zones of our country. The sheep produce wool and meat.

In spite of the fact that the country is endowed with 11.5% of the world livestock population it contributes little over 2.26% (5.74 million tones) to the world total meat production of 245 million tones. Considering 70% of human population non-vegetarian, the annual per capita availability of meat is roughly 8 kg as against the recommended intake of 11 kg of the total meat production more than 70% come from cattle (old bullocks), buffalo and pigs and for that preference is limited to socio-religious factors.

Therefore, burden lies on goat and sheep meat, and in the recent years the domestic market prices for mutton have increased from Rs.50 per kg to Rs.100-120 per kg. Moreover expected huge increase in demand for meat in developing countries (by 100%) especially in East and South-east Asia in next 20 years presents an excellent opportunity for enhancing export of live goat/sheep and their meat from India. Therefore, there is immense potential for entrepreneurship development through commercial sheep rearing in our country.

Development of Commercial Goat Farms:

Goat rearing is an important subsidiary occupation especially practiced by the small marginal and landless farmers since it requires small amount of investment. But this occupation has tremendous scope and potentiality of generating income if practiced commercially on a small or a large scale.

The small and landless youth can start a small scale goat farm of 10 goats with a small initial investment of Rs.25,000 only and this unit will yield him a net income of Rs.15,000/year, i.e. Rs.1250 per month. For starting a large-scale goat farm of 100 goat’s 1000 sq. mt. of land will be required in addition to an initial investment of Rs.2.5 to 3 lakhs and this enterprise can yield him a net income of Rs.1.5 lakh/year, i.e. Rs.12,500/month. The rural youth can get practical training in commercial goat rearing from either at IVRI Izatnagar or Central Goat Research Institute, Makhdoom, Mathura.

Establishing Commercial Poultry Farms:

Today India is the 2nd largest egg producer and one of the top ten broiler producers in the world. This has been achieved due to the commercialization of the poultry sector. But, in spite of the considerable growth in the egg production (2.5 to 30000 million during 1950 to 2000) and broiler production, the per capita availability of poultry products is considerably low; 42 eggs and 500 g meat/annum as against the requirement of 180 eggs and 10 kg meat per annum, which shows that there is great potentiality for the development of poultry sector in the country thereby presenting higher opportunities of entrepreneurship development in rural areas.

For development of entrepreneurship in poultry sector following points to be kept in mind:

i. The agro-climatic conditions must be suitable for rearing birds in the area.

ii. It should be ascertained that the applicant has knowledge/experience in raising poultry.

iii. Selected site should be away from main roads and free from water logging conditions.

iv. The poultry shed should be adequate to accommodate the number of birds to be raised. The poultry house should be according to standard requirements and should give protection to birds from sun, rain, wind and predators.

v. Suitable arrangements should be made for purchase of high quality one day old chicks or layers from reputed sellers at reasonable prices.

vi. Sufficient clean water should be available for birds. It should also be ascertained that the poultry feed is available from close proximity at reasonable price.

vii. Proper veterinary services must be available near the farm for treating the birds. Birds should be vaccinated against poultry diseases.

viii. Firm arrangements must be made for marketing of eggs/broilers/culled birds.

ix. Arrangements should be made for insurance of birds and the insurance policy should be made in favour of the bank. Layers @ Rs.4.23/bird, Broilers @ Rs.0.71/bird, building and equipments @ 0.40% of cost.

x. Proper records of all purchases and sales should be maintained.

Rural youth can earn attractive profits if they start the enterprise commercially. Further the two enterprises layer and broiler farming can be started on small scale with low investment also. A broiler farm of 1000 birds can be started with a covered land size of 1000 sq. ft. and an initial investment of Rs.50,000 as fixed cost for shed and other equipment. Around Rs.50,000 will be required for the variable expenditure on chicks, feed and other miscellaneous expenses.

The broiler birds are ready within 42 days with an average body weight of 1.5 to 1.8 kg and can yield a minimum profit of Rs.10,000 per batch of 1000 birds (@ Rs.40/kg market price and 1.5 kg live weight of bird) which amounts to around Rs.70,000 per year (if the entrepreneur puts 7 batches of 1000 birds in a year), i.e. a net profit of Rs.5800 per month. The profit from a batch of 1000 birds can increase to Rs.20,000 with the increase in live weight of birds to 1.8 kg/bird. Further profits can be earned if the market prices are higher.

Development of Piggery Farm:

In India, pig rearing is mainly carried out by the socially and economically backward class of our society. Moreover, it is a subsidiary occupation for them and the pigs are reared unhygenically under scavenging system. The pig can play a very important role in increasing meat production and thereby to meet the protein hunger. They excel all other farm animals in respect of edible flesh The pig rearing gives high returns with a low investment, so the popular name “mortgage lifter” is often give to them.

The major advantages of pig rearing over the other livestock enterprises are its short generation interval, big litter size (6-7 in case of indigenous breed, 8-12 in case of exotic breed, 5-9 in case of cross-bred pigs), can be fed on cheap feed and food by products, high food conversion efficiency, quicker increase in body weight, 1 kg body weight at birth become 80-100 kg only in 7-10 months of age. Before starting a piggery, a suitable site is required to be selected.

As feed cost accounts for about 70% of the total expenditure, the pig farm should either be established near to metropolitan city, where left food from hotel/mess/hostel is available or near a village where cheap by product from agriculture are plenty. A good land without ditches at higher level should be arranged near road side. Water and electric supply must be arranged.

The animals should preferably be purchased with following characteristics:

1. Pure bred Large White, Middle White and Landrace (white).

2. Physically strong and healthy with good condition.

3. Normal body temperature (101°F).

4. Female of exotic and cross-bred must have 7 and 6 pairs of teats and belong to dams with good litter size.

5. Male should have good libido and semen quality.

6. Female of regular oestrus cyclicity.

Daily routine jobs in piggery is to perform like cleaning of all pigsties, feeding and water trough, farm premises along with disposal of dung/urine, checking the herd for spotting out the sick animals, spotty of sows/gilts in heat, if in heat then necessary breeding is to be planned and carried out, isolation of near parturition sows/gilts into furrowing pens or suitable place so that she is not disturbed by other animal, whereas periodical jobs are also necessary like weighing of stock, which help the farmers to know the gain per unit for given inputs. Cutting of needle teeth which will prevent infection of wound from fighting or causing injuries to the teat of mother, piglets should be castrated when they are 2-3 weeks of age, weaning of piglets at 8 weeks of age, deworming periodically, culling and disposal of piglets as and when needed and vaccination against infectious diseases.

Preventive Measures:

Following vaccinations should be given:

1. Swine Fever:

Freeze-dried lapinised swine fever vaccine should be given 1 ml s/c as repeat dose every year at the age of 2 months.

2. Foot and Mouth Disease:

Polyvalent oil adjuvant vaccine is available with IVRI, Bangalore and local market also. 2.5 ml of vaccine should be given I/m at 10 weeks of age and should be repeated after every 6 months.

3. Haemorrhagic Septicaemia:

2 ml of H.S. vaccine is first given after weaning and should be repeated after every one year.

4. Deworming:

Internal parasites specifically ascariasis, if uncontrolled can bring great loss to a pig farmer. Broad spectrum anthlmentics like albendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole, thiabendazole, tetramizole can be mixed in half of feed offered to piglets kept starved in previous evening. The pigs may be again dewormed after every 3 months depending upon the parasitic load which can get checked from a nearby veterinary laboratory.

5. External Parasites:

Two types of mites affect pigs and cause mange. The sarcoptic mange mite barrows into skin where it feeds and multiplies. The demodectic mite infests the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Spray with 0.5% malathion, 0.04% deltamethrin and cypermethrin 0.02% or Kilex Carbaryl (50% WP) 1% solution can be used to control it. Injection of ivermectin 1 ml/33 kg body weight controls external and internal parasites and should be repeated after 10 days.

ii. Housing Management:

Good housing must provide optimal environmental conditions such as fresh air, exercise, sunlight and protection from inclement weather and predators.

iii. Breeding Management:

Exotic pigs attain puberty at about 200 days of age, whereas cross-bred and indigenous pigs reach puberty at 150 and 120 days respectively. As pigs are polyestrous, females come into heat regularly at 21 days interval. Gilts tend to have shorter heat period than sows. Within this cycle, heat period lasts up to 48 hours. Females in heat are characterized by grunting, restlessness, following of teaser, mounting other females in pen and swelling of vulva.

The period of maximum fertility in female occurs during mid-oestrus, some hours before ovulation. As the shedding of ova produced by the sow takes place over a period of several hours, maximum fertilization can be obtained by mating sow twice after mid-oestrus. Service time in pigs ranges from 5 to 20 minutes and average volume of semen is 250 ml. Gilts should be bred for the first time after their third heat period, at about 8 months of age and 60-70 kg body weight in exotics and crossbreds.

Boars may be used for first time at 7-8 months of age and get matured at 15 months of age. A mature boar can serve 20-40 times/month but boar under 15 months of age should not be used for service more than 25 times per month. In summer months, boars should be used either in early morning or late evening hours.

iv. Feeding Management:

Pigs are omnivorous in their feeding habit and can consume lot variety of edible materials including, grains, grasses like berseem, lobia, etc. hotel wastes, poultry wastes, etc. Although in organized govt., farms concentrate ration comprising costly grains is fed but it is not economical.

Success of a pig enterprise depends upon the feeding programme adapted as feed cost accounts for 70-80% of total recurring inputs of pig production. Common conventional diets contain about 30-60% cereal grains primarily maize. The overall scarce supply of grains coupled with intense competition from ever increasing human population, the scope of feeding cereal grains to livestock is gradually becoming difficult.

Therefore some alternative cheap diet from agro-industrial by-products like rice bran, rice polish, molasses, milk by-products and other cheaper materials are detailed below:

1. Rice or Wheat Shorts:

These are by-products of the milling. Inclusion of rice shorts can make pig feed economical in paddy belts. They can be used up to 60% of the total ration.

2. Rice Bran:

It consists of the outer layer of the rice kernel and contains a high percentage of fats and fibre. It should not be fed at all to piglets or at more than 30-50% of total ration to the fatteners. In case, it is the only feed available, pigs consuming it will grow slowly and soft fat in their carcass.

3. Potatoes:

Potatoes are available in most part of India. It can be mixed with grain three parts to one. Potatoes can also be dried and made into flour and this can form up to 30% of the rations.

4. Root Crops:

Cassava/tapioca and its peelings are both suitable feeds for pigs. Four part of cassava root can replace one part of maize. Prussic acid levels in fresh roots can be eliminated by drying or boiling the roots. Sugar beets, carrots can also be fed in small amounts.

5. Bakery Waste:

Stale bread and other bakery wastes, if cheaply available can replace total ration, white bread contains 64% dry matter, 85% protein, 2% fat, 0.3% fibre.

6. Molasses:

Molasses can be used as substitute for carbohydrates. The metabolizable energy is two-thirds that of maize but the high potassium level tends to produce scouring. Cane molasses should not be used more than 20% in growing pigs and up to 40% in finishing pigs.

7. Garbage:

The composition and feeding value of garbage vary from place to place and depends upon the prosperity of the people. Garbage from the public eating place is more nutritious than house hold garbage. Garbage should be cooked to control microorganism and other parasites. Garbage should be thoroughly searched for and glass pieces, spoons, plastic bags before feeding. It can replace the total concentrate ration. In an experiment conducted at IVR1, it was found that one kg of pork can be produced at a cost of Rs. 5.06 by feeding mess waste.

8. Dairy by Products:

In vicinity of dairy plants, butter milk or separated milk are cheaply available. These may be mixed in creep feed to levels varying from 10-30%. Piglets of a galactic mother and orphan piglets can be given.

9. Fruits:

Bananas which are green or over-ripe can be fed to pigs as a source of energy. These can also is used up to 20-30% in grower/finisher ration. Papaya, pine apple, bran, fruit pulp, sugar cane, green copra can also be used as pig feed in areas of abundant availability.

10. Slaughter House Waste:

Blood meal, bone meal or meat meal may be available and can be mixed up to 10% of the ration.

11. Poultry by Product Meal:

In areas of country where poultry keeping has been adopted at large scale, waste products from dressing plants such as head, foot, and undeveloped eggs, intestines can be used at the rate of 8.5 to 16% of total ration.

Economics of Small Piggery Unit (2 Males + 10 Females):

The profit will be increased in 2nd year onwards as number of breed-able sows will be more giving birth to piglets.

Buffalo Calves Rearing for Meat Purpose:

Buffalo calves rearing for meat purpose is a very attractive entrepreneurship for rural youth as those buffalo calves can be reared partially on grazing and partially on the left out feed of the lactating animals. Later on fattening diet can be given to get proper body weight and good quality of meat. For meat purpose, buffalo calves may be purchased from urban and peri-urban dairy on throw away prices at the age of 2-6 months. These calves should be castrated at 3-6 months of age for good growth of meat.

For rearing of 10 buffalo calves, an economic estimation is given below:

The cost of 10 buffalo calves @ Rs.300/- each will be (Rs.3000/-). Rearing cost of these 10 buffalo calves for 24 months to gain 250-300 kg body weight including feed, fodder and medication, etc. will be Rs.39,000 (excluding fixed cost of shed and land). The total returns after 24 months will be Rs.1,00,000 @ Rs.40/kg rate of buffalo meat. Thus net profit will be 61,000 and per calf Rs.6,100 per month.

Commercial Dry Cattle/Buffalo Rearing Units:

Those animals which are in their productive age but dry are mostly sold off or given to the villagers on contract by the commercial dairy farmers especially in the peri-urban and urban areas as these farmers rear only the milch animals to have a stable amount of milk production all-round the year.

The rural youth can use this as an opportunity and can set up dry buffalo/cattle rearing farms and can purchase/take on contract dry animals and at parturition can sell them at higher prices. The practice of giving dry animals on contract to villagers presently exists among the commercial dairy farmers in the urban area but this can be used as an opportunity by the rural youth and they can take up this enterprise in an organized mariner commercially and can start such type of farms in the rural areas.

Commercial Cattie/Buffalo Calf Rearing Units:

It has been found that in the commercial dairy farms the management of calves is very poor leading to a high calf mortality rate. This is leading to a heavy loss to the farmers as well as to the nation in form of loss of good quality germplasm. Therefore such units can be established by the rural/urban youth and they can purchase cow/buffalo calves from these farmers and rear them till parturition and then can sell them at attractive prices to the same dairy owners. Further, the male buffalo calves can be fattened/reared especially for meat purpose.

Integrated Livestock Farming:

Apart from rearing of individual livestock species, a new type of farming is emerging very fast these days, which is called the integrated livestock farming. In this type of farming, two or three livestock species are reared together and each species supplements the other. In fact it can be said that this type of farming is symbiotic in nature.

Various types of livestock integration are practiced in our country such as:

1. Pig-fish integration.

2. Poultry-fish integration.

3. Pig-poultry-fish integration.

4. Pig-poultry-fish-duck integration.

5. Vegetable-goat-fish integration.

6. Dairy-fish-duck integration.

7. Crop-animal integrated farming.

In these types of livestock rearing, the waste products of one species are utilized by the other therein enhancing the productivity of both the species in terms of waste utilization and lower expenditure on feed. For example, in the case of pig-fish integration, the excreta of the pig is used for manuring the pond which give rise to various planktons and phytoplankton’s which are eaten by the fish thereby reducing the expenditure on manuring of pond.

Further, the dead fish can be utilized for making the ration of pigs. Also it has been found that an individual can get a fish production of 6000 kg per hectare through the integration of livestock with fish by spending only on the purchase of fish seeds. Further such type of integration help in the use of barren and unproductive lands and water bodies, thereby effectively utilizing the natural resources.