The Hindu Business Line : Crisis in dairy sector as milk yields fall sharply in AP

Diagnosis
Foot-and-mouth disease is ravaging the livestock for the past two years.
Drought conditions and the consequent scarcity of fodder have also contributed to the fall in milk yields.

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Visakhapatnam Feb. 8 All over Andhra Pradesh, milk has become dearer and all dairies - co-operative as well as private ones - have increased the retail price of milk by Rs 2 a litre or so, citing the higher procurement price and the sharp fall in yields.

The Andhra Pradesh Dairy Development Co-operative Federation has increased the retail price by Rs 2 a litre. The Visakha Co-op Dairy (Visakhapatnam), Vijaya Dairy (Vijayawada), and several private dairies have also hiked prices.

According to sources, foot-and-mouth disease is ravaging the livestock in the State for the past two years, adversely affecting the productive and reproductive capacities of the cattle. Though it does not increase the mortality rate, it increases the morbidity.

Drought conditions in some parts of the State and the consequent scarcity of fodder have also contributed to the fall in milk yields.

In a study undertaken in the Guntur district by the AP Dairy Development Co-operative Federation, it was noticed that the disease had resulted in a loss of over 30 per cent milk yields. The situation is stated to be equally bad in other districts.

The viral disease, a contagious one, has affected the fecundity of the cattle, besides taking a heavy toll on the calves. It also increases the inter-calving period by three times from the normal 16 months. It has wiped out almost half the calves in some districts, it is stated.

Vaccination

Dr B. Veereswara Rao, Joint Director, Animal Husbandry Department, Visakhapatnam district, said, "The virus mutates frequently and 22 strains have been detected in the country. In Andhra Pradesh, vaccines are available for four strains. A dose of vaccination costs Rs 10 or so and the animal has to be vaccinated twice a year - preferably once in January and again June."

However, he said, the disease was confined to pockets of Visakhapatnam district and it was not rampant.

"The Visakha Co-op Dairy is educating the farmers and the Animal Husbandry Department is also taking steps to make the vaccines available. It has been kept under check in the district," he said.

Andhra Pradesh, ranked eighth in milk production in the country, recorded an output of 4.81 lakh tonnes in 2005-2006 as against 3.65 lakh tonnes till now during 2006-2007.

The sharp fall in output is attributed to the virulence of the virus as well as drought conditions.

More Stories on : Dairy & Dairy Products | Health | Co-operatives | Andhra Pradesh

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