Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 05:
Like all cattle farms in other parts of the State, the Regional Crossbred Cattle Breeding Farm established in 1975 at Turibari, Kangpokpi subdivision, Senapati district is on the verge of closing down owing to the lack of follow up actions and various ills plaguing it.
The farm established with an aim to produce quality milk and as well as to breed cattle by the State Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department under financial assistance from North East Council at one time had 44 cows but at present the farm has only 15 milch cows.
The farm which has the capacity of accommodating 100 milch cows at a time is today reeling under a number of paralytic blows like short supply of cattle fodder and irregular water supply and lack of equipment for ploughing the fields for planting fodder.
Due to the neglect by the authorities and inadequate supply of fodder, the number of cows in the farm declined to 40 by the end of 1997-98, increased to 49 in 1998-99 and ten declined again to 44 in 1999-2000.As a number of milch cows have died the number today is a pathetic 15.When this reporter visited the farm yesterday, there was not even a single bull and breeding is mainly done through artificial insemination.
The tank where the cows used to drink water has dried up and the green fodders which are supposed to be supplied to the cattle have been replaced by dried, dehydrated straw.
Lack of proper medical care accounts for maximum death and the floor of the shed is without plaster.
Not surprisingly the abysmal condition of the shed has led to the rising death, chart of the cattle.
Moreover two cows are also suffering from some disease and there is apprehension that it may spread to the other cows.
The farm during its hey days produced large quantity of quality milk.
However at present the farm can produce only 5 litres of milk per day since most the green fodder has been replaced by dried straw.
The staff and the doctor posted at the farm were riot present at the time and the office remained locked as most of the staff quarter is in deplorable condition and needs repairing.
The road leading to the farm from Kangpokpi bazar is in deplorable condition.