Bhubaneswar: Durga Charan Sethi of Alijanga village in Odisha’s Kendrapara district quit studies and took up dairy farming to support his family financially.
The 28-year-old started by rearing one desi cow. Being a greenhorn in dairy farming, he faced problems in getting a high milk yield and keeping his cow healthy.
Some of the other challenges Sethi faced were high frequency of infection, irregular fertility cycle, low fat content in milk and extended dry period.
In March 2018, Sethi participated in Reliance Foundation’s field programme support and shared with them his livestock issues.
The young dairy farmer learnt about Reliance Foundation’s various technology-based platforms including toll free helpline services 1800-419-8800, mobile-based audio advisory services and various interactive platforms meant for livestock owners.
Sethi immediately got his mobile number registered with Reliance Foundation and started getting weekly advisories on fodder management and feeding practices, supplementary feeding, disease control and management practices, and clean milk production practices.
Whenever he faced a problem, he called the toll-free helpline number and got a solution from Reliance Foundation experts.
He religiously followed the experts’ advice on cattle vaccination, seasonal health and disease management, cattle shed management, clean milk production and feed and fodder management practices.
The virtual advisories not only helped Sethi maintain a healthy livestock, but also increased milk yield.
During the last rainy season, Sethi’s cows got infected with mastitis and the milk yield dropped suddenly because of the disease.
Besides Sethi, some other villagers also facing different issues related to the health of their livestock. On the villagers’ request, Reliance Foundation set up a livestock treatment camp. Several livestock experts and veterinary surgeons were a part of the camp. They provided treatment and medicines (mineral mixture, liver extract, vaccination) to the unfit livestock during the camp.
After the treatment, Sethi’s cows started giving good milk yield.
At present, Sethi has five cows (cross breed, holliston), of which three yield milk. He gets 50 litres of milk per day from the three cows.
Sethi supplies milk to around 70-80 families in Kendrapara Municipality area at Rs 40-45 per litre and earns Rs 2000 per day. After buying feed, fodder and fuel for his motorcycle, Sethi makes Rs 30,000 per month.
He has purchased a TVS scooter, which helps him deliver milk from door to door.
