Dairy farms usually evoke images of smelly cowsheds littered with dung and hay, and farmers perched on rickety stools to milk the animals. Now try replacing that picture with another one of squeaky clean parlours, programmable feeders, automatic milking machines and cleaning robots.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Dairy Farms-2
Success Story on Mixed farming with special emphasis on dairying
Success Story on Mixed farming with special emphasis on dairying
The dairy farming sector in Kerala is all set to receive a massive dose of technology. The State government has launched an ambitious project to establish a chain of hi-tech dairy farms under the Kerala Livestock Development Board.
While work on the first hi-tech dairy farm at Kulathupuzha at Kollam is progressing, the second one at Kolahalamedu in Idukki district is expected to take off in less than three months. The project is funded by the National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding (NPCBB).
Dairy Farms
Success story of a dairy farmer Thomson Dairy, Thrissur
Dairying is an important source of subsidiary income to small/marginal farmers and agricultural labourers. The manure from animals provides a good source of organic matter for improving soil fertility and crop yields. The gober gas from the dung is used as fuel for domestic purposes as also for running engines for drawing water from well. The surplus fodder and agricultural by-products are gainfully utilised for feeding the animals. Almost all draught power for farm operations and transportation is supplied by bullocks. Since agriculture is mostly seasonal, there is a possibility of finding employment throughout the year for many persons through dairy farming. Thus, dairy also provides employment throughout the year. The main beneficiaries of dairy programmes are small/marginal farmers and landless labourers. A farmer can earn a gross surplus of about Rs. 12,000 per year from a unit consisting of 2 milking buffaloes. The capital investment required for purchase of 2 buffaloes is Rs. 18,223/-. Even after paying a sum of Rs. 4294/- per annum towards repayment of the loan and interest the farmer can earn a net surplus of Rs. 6000 - 9000/- approximately per year. . Even more profits can be earned depending upon the breed of animal, managerial skills and marketing potential.
Success story of a dairy farmer Thomson Dairy, Thrissur
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Inland Fish farming in ponds
The Kerala government owned hatchery at Odayam in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) District is one of the best shrimp hatcheries in Kerala that also produces the seed of giant freshwater prawn. Situated beside the Varkala Beach, this is a scenic place too, and is one of the finest tourist destinations in Kerala.
Cultivation of Organic Prawn
Rotational cropping of shrimp and a saline resistant, tall variety of paddy, locally known as Pokkali is a unique feature in the low lying coastal belt of Central Kerala. In these fields rice is cultivated only during the monsoon season that lasts from June to October. From November onwards salinity builds up and the submerged fields are utilized for a traditional type of shrimp and fish culture known as ‘prawn filtration’. Supplementary stocking using the seed of high value black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) and Indian white shrimp (Fenneropenaeus indicus) has of late transformed this into a modified-traditional system of farming with substantially augmented income. This trip will provide a feel of the age-old traditional coastal farming system in Kerala.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Mathukutty's unique fish farming story
The very first thing that any prospective fish farming business owner has to do is to soak up on as much knowledge in fish culture as possible. It is highly advisable that he take some college courses or some programs that are related to fish farming. If the fish farming business owner has no experience it is good that he first try and work for an established fish farming expert to know the ins and outs in fish farming. If he has the knowledge he then has to conduct the research.
Watch out Mathukutty's unique fish farm
The would-be owner needs to study the conditions that surround his proposed location of the fish farm. He must take into account the source of water in the area and how much is flowing from it, what rate and the temperature of the water. He should also look into other naturally available resources around the area such as geothermal water from springs. Some fishes breed faster better in warm water than others. Also look into the conduciveness of the buildings and structures around the farm. After looking into the conditions of the environment the entrepreneur also has to look into the possible market of the fish. It is not profitable to harvest tons of fishes with no buyer. Could there be a contractor for the fishes? How about fast food chains? How far is the market for the fish and what vehicle will be used to transport the fish? After finding out the possible market conditions the owner must look into organizing the business. The owner must register it as either sole-proprietorship, partnership, corporation or LLC. He must also attend to the commercial license, operating permit and other requirements that may be required by the state.
If after this survey the fish farming business still seems possible then it is time to chart the financial aspect by determining the expected and unexpected expenses of the business. How much would everything cost and what would be the sources of the funds. Through this financial analysis the entrepreneur will know in the long run how much he needs to profit for how long to pay back the overhead cost and if it is profitable to start the fish farming business.
Watch out Mathukutty's unique fish farm
The would-be owner needs to study the conditions that surround his proposed location of the fish farm. He must take into account the source of water in the area and how much is flowing from it, what rate and the temperature of the water. He should also look into other naturally available resources around the area such as geothermal water from springs. Some fishes breed faster better in warm water than others. Also look into the conduciveness of the buildings and structures around the farm. After looking into the conditions of the environment the entrepreneur also has to look into the possible market of the fish. It is not profitable to harvest tons of fishes with no buyer. Could there be a contractor for the fishes? How about fast food chains? How far is the market for the fish and what vehicle will be used to transport the fish? After finding out the possible market conditions the owner must look into organizing the business. The owner must register it as either sole-proprietorship, partnership, corporation or LLC. He must also attend to the commercial license, operating permit and other requirements that may be required by the state.
If after this survey the fish farming business still seems possible then it is time to chart the financial aspect by determining the expected and unexpected expenses of the business. How much would everything cost and what would be the sources of the funds. Through this financial analysis the entrepreneur will know in the long run how much he needs to profit for how long to pay back the overhead cost and if it is profitable to start the fish farming business.
Organic farming techniques Part 2
Many techniques used in organic farming - such as inter-cropping, mulching, and integration of crops and livestock - are practiced under various agricultural systems. What makes organic agriculture unique is that, under various laws and certification programs, almost all synthetic inputs are prohibited, and "soil building" crop rotations are mandatory. Properly managed, organic farming reduces or eliminates soil and water pollution and helps conserve water and soil on agricultural lands. Organic farming is one of several approaches to sustainable agriculture.
Watch out for different organic farming techniques adopted by Rajan Babu of Kayamkulam
Typically, farmers experience some loss in yields after discarding synthetic inputs and converting their operations to organic production. Before restoration of full biological activity (e.g. growth in beneficial insect populations, nitrogen fixation from legumes), pest suppression and fertility problems are common. Sometimes it may take years to restore the ecosystem to the point where organic production is possible.
In these cases other sustainable approaches that allow judicious use of synthetic chemicals may be more suitable start-up options. One strategy involves converting farms to organic production "in installments", so that the entire operation is not put at risk.
Most studies have found that organic agriculture requires significantly greater labour input than conventional farms. Therefore, the diversification of crops typically found on organic farms, with their different planting and harvesting schedules, may distribute labour demand more evenly, which could help stabilize employment.
Watch out for different organic farming techniques adopted by Rajan Babu of Kayamkulam
Typically, farmers experience some loss in yields after discarding synthetic inputs and converting their operations to organic production. Before restoration of full biological activity (e.g. growth in beneficial insect populations, nitrogen fixation from legumes), pest suppression and fertility problems are common. Sometimes it may take years to restore the ecosystem to the point where organic production is possible.
In these cases other sustainable approaches that allow judicious use of synthetic chemicals may be more suitable start-up options. One strategy involves converting farms to organic production "in installments", so that the entire operation is not put at risk.
Most studies have found that organic agriculture requires significantly greater labour input than conventional farms. Therefore, the diversification of crops typically found on organic farms, with their different planting and harvesting schedules, may distribute labour demand more evenly, which could help stabilize employment.
Organic farming techniques Part 1
"Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It emphasises the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs. This is accomplished by using, where possible, agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfill any specific function within the system." - definition proposed for adoption by FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission
Watch out for different organic farming techniques adopted by Rajan Babu of Kayamkulam
Watch out for different organic farming techniques adopted by Rajan Babu of Kayamkulam
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