Haryana Governor Prof. Kaptan Singh Chief Minister Manohar Lal released coffee table book“Kamadhenu: Cows of India”. d coffee table book“Kamadhenu: Cows of India” Mr Manohar Lal released coffee table book“Kamadhenu: Cows of Indi

Chandigarh, May 6 – Haryana Governor Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki and Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal released coffee table book“Kamadhenu: Cows of India” compiled by Additional Chief Secretary Cooperation, Mrs. Rajni Sekhri Sibal, here today.
While releasing the book, the Governor appreciated the initiative of Mrs Sibal for promoting the dairying and cows through her book. He said that it is not only a book release but also release of author’s efforts which are required for the betterment of the country and such efforts need to be promoted.
The Governor also appreciated the efforts made by Haryana Government for protection of cows and added that Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan Act passed by the State is being praised in the country.
Speaking on this occasion, Chief Minister Mr Manohar Lal stressed the need for developing cow milk measurement devices on the pattern of buffalo so that quality in cow milk could be promoted. He said that Haryana government is working in this direction. He said that cow’s name is linked with rich culture and history of the country. There is a need to bring cows again to the houses and we are moving on positive track to this effect. He also congratulated Mrs. Sibal for her initiative for promotion of cows and dairying.
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Mr. O.P. Dhankar also spoke on this occasion.
Minister of State for Cooperation Mr. Bikram Singh Yadav, senior officers of the government and prominent personalities were also present.
It is first-of-its-kind coffee table book on the country’s diverse cattle genetic resources; with a special section on buffaloes. The author has crafted an informative and fascinating book after four years of research. The book systemically documents information about the characteristics of different breeds; their origin and traditional breeding tracts and tribes, breeders and farmers involved in their evolution and development. Maps and coloured photographs will aid the reader in understanding about the diverse heritage of India and in identifying the indigenous breeds. The author has sprinkled folklore, local tales and myths along with detailed scientific data and the economic significance of indigenous breeds in an interesting manner.
Kamadhenu: Cows of India is a well-researched rendition of the rich indigenous bovine wealth of the country. It will serve as a reference book for entrepreneurs, practicing dairy professionals, policy makers, conservationists and animal lovers. It will also be of interest to a common reader and to anyone interested in India and its heritage.
Dairying is an important economic activity in India which provides livelihood to sixty million farmers’ rural households which rear milch animals; of which two thirds are resource poor small and marginal farmers and landless agricultural labourers. Distribution of livestock holding is less iniquitous than land holding. Hence the economic gain from dairying is more equitably distributed.
India is a global leader amongst dairying nations and produced 146 million tonnes of milk during 2014-15. The dairy cooperatives of the country have the singular distinction of providing seventy five to eighty percentof their sales, on the average, to the farmers.
As many as 75 million women are engaged in the sector as against 15 million men. There is an increasing trend towards participation of women in livestock development activities and in leadership roles in the dairy cooperatives. This has led to empowerment of women-headed households in the rural communities.
India with 30 crore bovines has 18 per cent of the world’s bovine population. The indigenous bovine genetic resource of the country has evolved over the years through traditional and scientific knowledge and today we have 39 breeds of cattle as well as 13 breeds of buffaloes, besides Yak and Mithun.