Cattle Shed Management (Payal Dewangan)
Cattle shed management technology, including the use of a concrete elevated floor for cow dung and urine collection, is a cost-effective and efficient technology to support the natural farming system. This technology can be applied in both natural and human environments. In natural environments, such as rural or agricultural areas, cattle sheds are typically used for dairy and farmyard manure production. The use of this technology can improve the hygiene of cattle and their environment, reduce waste and pollution, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources. The cow dung and urine so collected can be used as fertilizer to improve soil quality, and the improved hygiene of the cattle can reduce the risk of diseases spreading to other animals or humans. The use of this technology can help to reduce the negative impacts of cattle farming on the surrounding environment, such as odours and pollution. It can also improve the hygiene of the cattle and their environment, which is important for both animal welfare and public health.
Traditionally farmers were constructing the floors of cattle sheds using mud and soil. These floors absorb the cow urine and the movement of animals also makes holes in it because of that cow urine and cow dung are used to get filled in these halls. Which made the entire floor unhygienic for both animals and farmers. Because of such surfaces, it was very hard to clean these sheds. The use of an elevated floor made with cement-concrete and a waste management system can help to keep the cattle shed clean and dry, which can reduce the risk of disease and infection among the animals. The collection and disposal of cow dung and urine can help preventing environmental pollution, reducing the negative impacts of cattle farming on the surrounding area, and promoting sustainable use of natural resources. The use of a concrete elevated floor can make cleaning the cattle shed faster and easier, reducing labour costs and improving the efficiency of the farming operation.
Technical specifications for the construction of cattle sheds can vary depending on factors such as the size of the herd, local environmental regulations, and available resources. However, in general, the main characteristics and elements of cattle shed management technology are designed to promote animal welfare, hygiene, waste management, and sustainability. Proper cattle shed management technology can provide a comfortable and safe environment for the animals, which can reduce stress and promote animal welfare. Proper waste management and ventilation can help to minimize unpleasant odours from the cattle shed, which thus reduces negative impacts on the surrounding community.
Establishing and maintaining cattle shed management technology requires a combination of technical expertise, labour, and resources. By investing in these inputs, farmers can promote sustainable and efficient cattle farming practices and improve the health and welfare of their animals.
The collected cow urine and cow dung are the main resources for preparing the biological inputs and different types of compost for meeting the nutritional requirement of crops while also addressing the challenges of pest and disease management in a natural or organic farming system. The improved flooring of cow shed units has been a great intervention to replace and reduce the usage of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides in the project region.
The views of land users, such as farmers or livestock keepers, about cattle shed management technology, including the use of a concrete elevated floor for cow dung and urine collection, can vary depending on their experiences and perceptions. The interviewed land user liked or appreciated, cattle shed management for improving animal health and productivity, increasing farm profitability, cleaning the cattle shed easier and faster, reducing labour costs, improving efficiency, and for environmental benefits.
ទីតាំង: Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh, ប្រទេសឥណ្ឌា
ចំនួនទីកន្លែងបច្ចេកទេស ដែលវិភាគ: 10-100 កន្លែង
ការសាយភាយនៃបច្ចេកទេស: អនុវត្តនៅកន្លែងជាក់លាក់មួយ/ ប្រមូលផ្តុំនៅតំបន់តូចៗ
តើស្ថិតក្នុងតំបន់ការពារអចិន្ត្រៃយ៍?: ទេ
កាលបរិច្ឆេទនៃការអនុវត្ត: តិចជាង 10ឆ្នាំមុន (ថ្មី)
ប្រភេទនៃការណែនាំឱ្យអនុវត្តន៍៖
It was observed and noted from the field site that instead of using chemicals, the application of cow urine and cow dung in the form of farm yard manure has helped in improved production as it led to the reduction of pest infestation and better nutrient uptake from the soil.
Reduction in the use of chemicals in the field and application of collected cow urine and other bioresource products made from cow dung helped in improving the quality of crop in terms of harder crops, good weight of grain, test etc.
The improved cattle shed played a crucial role in maintaining the hygiene of animal sheds, which led to the lesser occurrence of disease among animals. Also, the stress level of animals due to the presence of insects and flies reduced significantly. A combination of all these factors improved the milk yield.
Using sustainable methods for crop production by application of bio inputs not only helps in increasing soil fertility but also contributes to increasing crop resistance, pest control, and better crop development.
Reduced to some extent as now farmers can make their own bio-inputs using the cow urine and cow dung collected from the cattle shed
A combination of improved productivity, reduced cost towards agriculture inputs and better milk productivity has helped farmers in improving their income.
Some of the farmers have initiated their own bio resource centres to sell cow urine and cow dung-based bio-inputs, vermicompost etc.
The workload of women members in the household was reduced very significantly due to covering the mud-based cow floor with cement-concrete-based cow floor, earlier cleaning of the cow dung and cow urine used to take a lot of the time. However with new floor, it can be cleaned in less than 5 minutes saving almost an hour in a day.
Improved hygiene is good for both animal and human health
Application of cow dung, compost and other bio-inputs have improved the soil moisture
Application of cow dung, compost and other bio-inputs will help in improving the nutrient cycling in the soil and will enhance the soil microbial activities
Some of the farmers are using the collected cow dung as an input for their 'Bio-gas' plants. Thus, the use of biogas plants not only reduces the use of fire wood and LPG for cooking but its waste (slurry) is also used as inputs for agriculture fields. Thus reducing the overall footprint of GHG emission.
Some of the farmers have installed bio gas plants. Use of biogas plants not only reduces the use of fire wood and LPG for cooking but its waste (slurry) is also used as inputs for Some of the farmers are using the collected cow dung as an input for their 'Bio-gas' plants agriculture fields. Thus reducing the overall footprint of GHG emission.
Also the improved floor have helped in proper collection of cow dung and cow urine for the purpose of composting. Composting makes the compounds in manure more stable and therefore reduces the amount that is released into the atmosphere.
