More than 8 lakh indigenous cows being reared in Haryana
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh –
Haryana’s Animal Husbandry and Agriculture Minister Shyam Singh Rana, while inaugurating the State-level Livestock Exhibition in Kurukshetra, said that the Haryana breed of indigenous cow finds mention even in the Vedas and Puranas. If one goes by what the officials of the Animal Husbandry Department say, Lord Shri Krishna was fond of the Haryana breed of cow. Even today, the Haryana breed of cow is bringing laurels to the state. Rana inaugurated the State-level exhibition only after performing a ritual worship of the Haryana breed cow.
At present, around 8 lakh Haryana breed cows are being reared in gaushalas as well as by cattle rearers across the state. A significant aspect is that in the 41st State-level Livestock Exhibition in Kurukshetra, cattle rearers have brought 150 Haryana breed cows.
The Animal Husbandry Minister said that it is the vision of CM Saini to conserve indigenous breeds like Haryana, Rathi, Gir, Bilahi and Tharparkar cows and bulls, provide a platform to cattle-rearing farmers, and enhance their income through events like the State-level Livestock Exhibition. On the very first day of this event, the Haryana breed cow attracted the attention of common citizens, especially cattle rearers. The milk of this breed is more nutritious than other indigenous cows and contains only 3 to 4 percent fat. This milk is considered especially beneficial for children.
He said that the state government aims to further improve the Haryana indigenous cow breed. Continuous research is being conducted by scientists for this purpose. In this State-level Livestock Exhibition, cattle rearers from districts like Jind, Rewari, Charkhi Dadri and other parts of Haryana have brought around 150 Haryana breed cows, making this breed the center of attraction at the fair.
Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department, Dr. Anil Banwala, said that the Haryana breed cow has been reared in the state since ancient times. At present, around 8 lakh cows of this breed are being reared in homes and gaushalas in Haryana. The price of this breed ranges from ₹40,000 to ₹1.50 lakh.
Dr. Anil Banwala further said that among all cow breeds, the Haryana breed is the only one that can jump a 6-foot-high wall without being touched. This agility is always visible in this indigenous breed.
He also informed that the government has introduced a special incentive scheme for high milk-yielding Haryana breed cows. Under this scheme, cows producing 5 kg to 15 kg of milk are awarded cash prizes ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹40,000. For this, the cattle rearer has to apply on the designated portal, after which a team measures milk output three times a day and calculates the average. Based on this, the incentive is granted.
The Haryana breed cow prefers to drink less water but requires high cleanliness. Therefore, it must be kept in clean surroundings. This breed does not like sitting in muddy or waterlogged areas. At the 41st State-level Livestock Exhibition, while camels, horses, bulls, goats and buffaloes won hearts on the catwalk, the Haryana breed cow stole the show on the stage.