On Wednesday, speaking during the seventh annual convocation of Kamdhenu University in Gandhinagar, Governor Gujarat, Acharya Devrat, claimed that cow was the foundation of the Indian economy, as it increases the income of farmers.
Quoting a research conducted by scientists from Hisar’s Agriculture University, he told the students that 1 gram of cow dung from indigenous cows has over 300 crore bacteria present in it which helps in improving fertility of the soil while cow urine is rich in minerals.
He also said that the Indian breed cow products (cow urine and dung) are best for farming and have enriched minerals in them which western cows don’t have.
He added that the cow milk gives nutrition while cow dung helps in agriculture, which can increase the income of farmers.
He gave an example of Amul (Indian dairy cooperative society) where over 30 lakh farmers are associated with it and are prosperous in Gujarat.
He said that he owns 350 cows of seven indigenous breeds including Sahiwal, Tharparkar, Haryanavi, Rathi, Gir, Lal Sindhi, and has over the years worked on improving their breeds, as a result of which these cows give 15 to 24 liter milk per day.
According to him, working on their cows will increase the income of farmers.
According to a research conducted in Australia and New Zealand on A1 and A2 milk, the conclusion of which showed that A2 milk is good for health, which is found in Indian bred cows.
He said that in Gujarat, from the past few months, natural farming is encouraged and more than 1 lakh farmers are adopting it.
He had also proposed to the state government that the farmers who will follow natural farming will be awarded with Rs.900 per month for promoting home farming of dairy and providing proper fodder and care to the cows.
Last year on December 22, the state government disbursed Rs. 48 crore to 1.05 farmers who adopted natural farming. This year, more than 2 lakh farmers have applied to join natural farming, he said.