Dairy development in Rajasthan :

Milk Production :

Livestock sector play major role in improving socio-economic status and fulfilling nutritional needs of rural masses. The state is second highest in milk production in the country. Of the total milk produced, 53 per cent is buffalo milk, 36 per cent is cattle milk and 11 per cent is goat milk. Per capita availability of milk is highest in Jaisalmer district having 1,085 grams of milk per day per person.

Approximately, 50 per cent of the milk produced is sold in the market and only 25 per cent is consumed at home as liquid milk. Remaining 25 per cent of the milk produced is converted into milk products. Highest livestock density is in Rajsamand and Dausa district having 292 livestock per square kilometer. Animal Husbandry is a major economic activity of the rural people of Rajasthan, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions.

The State faces frequent droughts and famine which causes frequent crop failure as most of the agriculture is rain fed. In this climatic scenario, dairy sector provides sustainable year-round income to large number of farmers. Over a decade, there has been an incremental increase of 3 per cent in number of in-milk bovine with maximum increase in Jaisalmer and Pali districts.

Native  Breeds :

The Rajasthan state has three native cattle breeds viz Rathi, Tharparker and Nagori, having great deal of endurance.

• Rathi cattle breed is reared for dairy purposes in the northern districts of Shri Ganganagar, Bikaner and parts of Jaisalmer which are irrigated or partially irrigated arid zones with alluvial or loamy soil.
• The Tharparkar cattle breed is native of the Jodhpur and Jaisalmer districts in eastern region of the state which has arid climate characterised by low rainfall and desert soil. Tharparkar is also known as “White Sindhi”, “Cutchi” or “Thari” cattle breed reared for dual purpose of draught and milk production as it can produce milk under rigorous feeding and unfavourable environmental conditions.
• Nagori cattle breed has been named after the Nagaur district which is in central part of the state. The Nagori cattle are sturdy and used for ploughing, cultivation, drawing water from wells as well as transportation of field produce to markets. Earlier they were used as trotters in light iron wheeled carts for quick transportation. There was a good demand of Nagori animals in Bihar but after implementation of Rajasthan Bovine Animal (Prohibition on Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Act, the demand has tapered off.

In addition to native breeds, Gir, Malvi, Kankrej and Hariana cattle are found in large numbers in the State. In case of buffalo, there is no native breed. However, enormous number of Murrah, Surti buffaloes are reared in the region.

Veterinary Infrastructure And Service Delivery System :

 Under rain-fed agriculture, dairying is most reliable livelihood insurance for the poor in rural areas of Rajasthan. The government manage a network of institutions for health care and service delivery which includes a Biological Product Lab (B.P.) at Jaipur, a State Disease Diagnostic Centre (SDDC) at Jaipur, six Regional Disease Diagnostic Centres (RDDC), 34 District Disease Diagnostic Lab, 1,718 Veterinary Hospitals (VH), 198 Veterinary Dispensaries (VD) and a series of Sub-centres.

In addition to a Rajasthan State Livestock Management Institute (RSLMTI), Bassi, it has Livestock Assistant Training Institute for strengthening the quality of manpower involved in providing services. The efforts of the State Government are supported by Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Science (RAJUVAS), Bikaner which has three constituent colleges at Bikaner, Udaipur and Jaipur. In addition, it has six private veterinary colleges affiliated to RAJUVAS under Public Private Partnership (PPP). It has 7 Livestock Research Stations and 65 institutions to produce 3,000 para-vet per annum.

Rajasthan is the second state in the country to have a dedicated ministry for cow husbandry called “Gaupalan department”. To boost milk production, the Rajasthan government is setting up its first cow sanctuary in Bikaner near Indira Canal. Cattle which have become old, infertile and disabled are sent to gaushalas in these states. The state has one of the highest number of gaushalas wherein old, infertile and disabled dairy animals are nurtured with care.