Nabard assistance for livestock breeders

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has come out with tailor-made breed specific schemes that would facilitate the regular flow of financial assistance from banks to the needy livestock breeders.

As many as 20 model schemes for livestock breeds such as Gir and Kankrej cows, Jafrabadi buffaloes, Kathiawadi and Marwari horses and ash-coloured and white donkeys of Kutch have been prepared by the Nabard regional office.

These schemes were presented at the annual general meeting of the Gir and Kankrej Cattle and Kathiawadi and Marwadi Horse Breeders' Association, recently. Over 200 livestock breeders from Jungadh, Amreli, Mehsana, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and other districts of Saurashtra, attended the meeting.

Over the past two years, Gir cows have gained demand in Brazil, Mexico and South Africa. Kathiawadi horses too are famous, as these breeds are considered good for transporting goods.

However, except for a few livestock breeders, who use scientific breeding techniques, others are neglecting these indigenous breeds. This has further worsened the threat of such breeds becoming extinct.

The Central Herd Registration Scheme, implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry, is currently in the process of registering pure breed animals.

Eight such sub centres have been set up in Saurashtra alone. In association with the department, Nabard is working to create models to preserve pure breed livestock.

Nabard and the state government agencies concerned will now carry out a periodic review of implementation of the programme.

Apart from the PSU bank officials and livestock breeders, the meeting was attended by K N Shelat, secretary agriculture and co-operation, and Bhawar Puri, chief general manager, Nabard.