Integrated

Integrated Dairy and Horticulture development programme
Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan
As part of the socio economic development programme, Guruvayur Dewaswam is planning to intervene in the farming systems prevalent in Guruvayur and nearby areas. Devaswam intends to act as facilitators to develop market oriented production programme for milk, milk products, horticultural crops, etc. Programme to conserve energy through popularization of biogas and effective utilization of biomass will also be implemented.


There is increased demand for milk and milk products in the Guruvayur temple. Even though there is enough production potential milk and milk products in Guruvayur and near by areas, due to marketing constraints dairying is not at all sustainable in these areas. Involvement of the local farming community was ignored till this day. So they were not interested in the development programme of the devaswam. If their participation has given adequate attention this will yield better results. Need based market oriented production programme with the involvement of local farming community of Guruvayur and nearby Gramapanchayats and municipal areas will augment production. As far as dairying is concerned breeding, feeding, management, disease control and marketing are the pillars of profitable dairying. Restructuring dairy activities through establishing milk co-operatives in the potential areas will yield successful results. Currently in order to meet the increased demand for milk and milk products Guruvayur Dewaswam is relying other agencies. Scientific milk production programme coupled with marketing infrastructure will make the dairying sustainable. In order to market the milk and milk products Guruvayur Dewaswam can act as a Monopsony buyer. If there is assured market for milk and milk products farmers will be more interested to produce enough milk for dewasam. Dewaswam can in turn sign an MOU with the co-operatives in such a way that entire quantity of milk and the specified milk products like butter and ghee will be purchased by the dewaswam. Moreover dewaswam need to act as facilitators for clean milk production, supply of inputs like feed, fodder, etc and to network veterinary services in the dairy zone. Areas covering 6 km radius from Guruvayur temple can be selected.
Objectives-
1. To procure the required quantity of milk and milk products for Guruvayur temple from local farming communities.
2. To uplift the local farming community/those interested in farming/un employed youths/ kudubasree through integrated dairy development programmes with production and marketing infrastructure facilities.
3. To make the local people as friends of Guruvayur devaswam through their involvement.

Implementation of the programme-
· Area around Guruvayur Temple with 6 Km radius will be identified.
· A rapid rural appraisal programme will be conducted to assess the milk production potential
· Based on the cattle population, potential areas will be identified and milk co-operatives will e started to procure milk from the farmers. If needed additional milk collection centers will be started.
· Farmers will be given awareness programme on scientific dairying, clean milk production, value addition, etc.
· Measures to reduce cost of milk production like promotion of fodder cultivation, supply of inputs like feed and fodder will be undertaken,
· Production of milk products like Ghee and butter through traditional methods will be promoted.
· Strict quality control measures will be followed.
· Facilities for veterinary services will be made through networking veterinary institutions in these areas.
· Co-operation of line departments like animal husbandry, dairy development, Kerala livestock development board, milk union, Kerala agricultural university, KVIC, Agriculture department, VFPCK, NGO’s, etc will be sought.
· In order to conserve energy facilities for starting biogas plants will be made available to the farmers
· Guruvayur Dewaswam will sign an MOU with the co-operatives for procuring the entire quantity of milk and milk products produced.
· Effective utilization of organic manure will be assured.
· Horticultural development programmes will be undertaken in the second stage.
· Measures for cultivation of fruits, plants and flowers needed for the pooja will be cultivated at farmer’s premises.
· An expert panel will periodically review the programmes and make suitable modifications as and when needed.