Dairy farmers in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district have been given a practical set of pointers to lift the amount of milk their cows and buffaloes produce each day. The district administration and veterinary experts have laid out simple, science-based practices that, if followed properly, can make dairy farming markedly more profitable and help farmers stand on their own feet financially.
Why scientific methods matter
Dr. Salma Minj of the animal husbandry department says that relying only on old, traditional practices makes it hard to meaningfully raise milk output. According to her, four things make the real difference when combined: green fodder, a mineral mixture, timely deworming medicine, and choosing animals of a good breed. Alongside these, the use of certain pesticides has also been suggested as something that can help increase the quantity of milk produced.
Green fodder alone is not enough
Dr. Minj explains that green fodder plays a major role in boosting milk output, but feeding green fodder alone will not deliver the increase farmers are hoping for. Animals need a mineral mixture along with the green fodder on a regular basis. When cattle get this balanced combination, their overall health improves, and that improvement shows up directly as a sharp rise in milk production.
Don't skip regular deworming
To protect animals from disease and keep their digestion working properly, Dr. Salma recommends giving deworming medicine at regular intervals. As a general rule, animals should be dewormed once every three months. Pregnant animals, however, need special care. Before giving any medicine to a pregnant animal, farmers should always consult a qualified veterinarian first.
Breed decides how much milk you get
The success of a dairy business hinges heavily on the breed of animal being reared. Dr. Salma points out that how much milk a cow or buffalo gives depends largely on its breed, along with the care and diet it receives. Expecting a very high milk yield from animals of a local breed is not realistic, so farmers are advised to choose animals of a good breed instead.
Which breeds give more milk
Among buffaloes, the Murrah breed is known for its strong milk-producing capacity. Among cows, breeds such as Gir, Sahiwal, Jersey and Red Sindhi are options farmers can pick based on their needs and local conditions. Dr. Salma notes that a good breed like Sahiwal, given proper upkeep and diet, can yield 8 to 12 litres of milk a day, though actual output still depends on how well the animal is cared for and other conditions.
