Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Jan 20: Calling upon the youth to actively take up dairying, deputy director of the Dakshina Kannada district department of animal husbandry and veterinary services Dr Arun Kumar Shetty said that despite several efforts by the department, the level of self-reliance seen in the poultry sector has not yet been achieved in the dairy sector, highlighting the need for greater awareness.
He was speaking after participating in the prize distribution ceremony of a cow milking competition and an awareness programme organised at Ganesh Sabha Bhavan, Neralakatte, on Tuesday. The programme was jointly organised by the Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat department of animal husbandry and veterinary services, Bantwal veterinary hospital, Nettlemudnur gram panchayat and the Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd, Mangaluru.
Dr Shetty said the department has been organising various awareness initiatives including training programmes, distribution of equipment and information camps to encourage dairying. He noted that while the district sells around 5.65 lac litres of milk daily, the local supply is only about 4.25 lac litres, forcing dependence on neighbouring districts. “A transformation is possible if the youth of the district turn towards dairying,” he said.
Nettlemudnur gram panchayat president Samitha D Poojary presided over the programme.
Chief executive officer of Vijaya Rural Development Foundation Jyothiraj said the foundation has been working continuously towards agricultural development in rural areas and facilitating various loan schemes through banks.
Belthangady chief veterinary officer Dr Ravikumar, who attended as a resource person, observed that modern dairy farmers often suffer losses due to a lack of long-term vision in their operations. He urged farmers to review their practices and adopt more prudent and informed approaches.
Dakshina Kannada Milk Producers’ Union extension officer Sridevi, union director Sudhakar Rai Bolanthuru, Neralakatte Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha vice president Thaniyappa Gowda, presidents of various milk producers’ cooperative societies including Suresh Rai, Pushpalatha S P, C H Narayan Bhat, Amit Jain, Vedavathi, Raghava Gowda, Naveen Kumar, Raghavendra Bhat and Ganesh Naik, along with Ganeshotsava committee leader Baby Naik, were present on the dais.
Bantwal taluk chief veterinary officer Dr Umesh Kiran welcomed the gathering, while livestock inspector Mohandas proposed the vote of thanks. Retired livestock development officer Sridhar Shetty compered the programme.
As part of the event, prize-winning cows were taken in a procession and special worship was conducted. In the cow milking competition, Prameela Talipadpu of Ananthadi won first place, Parvathi Ballamajalu of Peraje secured second place, Girija Nekkiladi of Kadeshivalya won third place, while Keshavathi M Rao of Yadavagir i, Kadeshivalya received the consolation prize. Certificates were distributed to all participants.
The programme was organised with the participation of milk producers’ cooperative societies from Neralakatte, Mani, Kadeshivalya, Peramogaru, Kedila, Budoli, Bantrin j, Ananthadi, Barimaru, Emaje, Perne and Biliyooru, along with Neralakatte Primary Agricultural Credit Cooperative Society and Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sanghas of Kadeshivalya and Kedila.