Punjab News Express
LUDHIANA: The Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana scientists have earned a competitive research project entitled, ‘Towards Climate Resilient Livestock Production System in Punjab’ from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Govt. of India under National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change.
Dr SNS Randhawa, Director of Research said that the GADVASU will lead this multifarious study and will be assisted by other institutes including Punjab State Council of Science and Technology, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development Board, Punjab Agricultural University and Punjab Energy Development Agency. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is the monitoring agency for this prestigious project. The ministry has sanctioned Rs 17.398 crore for the project duration of 5 years and the first grant of Rs 2.58 crore has been released.
Dr Randhawa revealed that this project aims to develop strategies for sustainability of livestock farming and income for farmers. The major objectives of the project are to ensure sustainable levels of livestock production through development of scientific interventions, assisted reproductive technologies, environmental friendly housing, and measures for timely detection and control of animal and zoonotic diseases. A part of the project activity would also focus on Climate proofing of Gaushalas/construction of climate smart model cattle sheds having provisions of rainwater harvesting, solar energy, biogas plants and energy efficient lighting. Weather Indexed Insurance proposal will be developed to compensate losses to the farmers. Automatic Weather Stations will be set at different locations for regular monitoring of data pertaining to climate parameters.
Global warming leading to climate change and unforeseen environmental events is a serious threat to sustainable agriculture. As reported in India’s National communication to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that a rise in temperature by 2-4oC by 2050 will negatively impact milk production by more than 15 million tons. Punjab is the 5th largest in milk producing states. Milk production decreases by 35-40% when thermal-humidity index increases by 72. Animals suspend their sexual activity that reduces fertility. Environmental variations may substantially enhance the incidence of animal and zoonotic diseases.
Expressing happiness on this achievement of GADVASU scientists, Dr AS Nanda, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU conveyed confidence that this research will help in ensuring sustainable production and sustained income for the farmers. Climate resilient cattle sheds built for domestic as well as for stray cattle will reap co-benefits such as rainwater harvesting, bio-gas generation and solar energy and would also help in green-house emission reduction. Further, developing weather based insurance product to compensate farmers for losses in milk production is expected to support the milk economy of the farmers.