More than 40% of cattle were eliminated from 2007 to 2019 in Dakshin Kannada (Karnataka) District

Mangaluru (Karnataka) – In Dakshin Kannada District, more than 40% of cattle has decreased from 2007 to 2019. The Department of Animal Husbandry conducts a livestock census every five years. As per the census conducted in 2007, the number of cattle has reduced by 40% in Dakshin Kannada District by 2019. The officers feel that the number might have come down further from 2019 till now.

What was the Cattle present and what is the present status ?

The livestock census conducted in 2007 showed the number of native domestic (Desi) cows, and hybrid (jersey) cows was 4,11,728. In 2012, this number came down to 2,57,415, whereas in 2019, the number was further reduced to 2,52,401. The census will be conducted now and it will show the existing situation.

In 2007, the number of ‘Desi’ cows was 2,29,838 whereas in  2012, this number came down to 1,13,747. In 2019, only 65,997 cows were left, indicating that the number must have come down further by now.

The number of native domestic cows has been decreasing. On the other hand, the number of Jersey cows has increased. In 2007, the number of Jersey cows was 1,66,771; in 2019, the no. rose to 1,84,572.

The number of buffaloes was 15,119 in 2007; in 2012, there were 3,700 buffaloes, but in 2019, the number came down to 1,832.

Youth lack interest in cow farming

Dr Arun Kumar Shetty, Dy Director, District Husbandry Department stated that cattle are depleting very fast because people of the previous generations looked after and protected cows and cattle. The present young generation, however, has no interest in cow farming. There is a shortage of even manpower. Cow farming is not a profitable job in villages. There is a lack of space for raising cows; therefore, the number of local cow farmers is decreasing.

Editorial Perspective

The condition in one district indicates the situation prevailing across the country. Governments of all parties need to seriously think about this issue and try to save and protect cattle on a war footing; otherwise, cattle will be found only in pictures in future.