Topic: economics of animal-rearing.
4. Discuss the reasons leading to depletion of Native breeds of cattle in the country, recommend measures to preserve them. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The government has unveiled SUTRA PIC or Scientific Utilisation Through Research Augmentation-Prime Products from Indigenous Cows – a programme to research on ‘indigenous’ cows. Thus the background of the question.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the reasons leading to depletion of Native breeds of cattle in the country, recommend measures to preserve them.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with some key facts related to the native breeds of the cattle; Cattle’s rearing has been a traditional livelihood in India and is closely linked to agricultural economy. India, with its 199 million cattle heads, has 14.5 per cent of the world cattle population. Of this, 83 per cent (166 million) are indigenous.
Body:
Discuss the factors responsible for depleting breeds of cattle in the country such as – inadequate nutrition, poor reproductive management and animal diseases which is exacerbated by lack of effective support services such as animal husbandry extension, artificial insemination (AI) and/or veterinary services. Explain the efforts being made by the government in this direction; explain the Rashtriya Gokul mission, Scientific Utilization Through Research Augmentation-Prime Products from Indigenous Cows etc. Explain what more needs to be done to preserve the native breeds and highlight the benefits of the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance of preserving the native breeds.
