Bella Jaisinghani, TNN | Apr 28, 2015, 05.53AM IST
MUMBAI: Select pedigreed cows and bulls in Maharashtra now sport a unique status symbol that they wear as a little yellow tag attached to the ear. Like the Aadhaar card for Indian citizens, these tags—or subcutaneous chips inserted beneath the skin—contain the animal's basic profile. They hold information about their date of birth, gender, breed, lactation cycle, calving details and the amount of milk they give.
These radio frequency identification device (RFID) tags help differentiate similar-looking cattle, improve productivity of milch cows and, above all, allow banks and financial institutions to monitor animals for which loans were given. The UID scheme for cattle was started by the Centre before Aadhaar card came about in 2009. Since 2011-12, it has been adopted by Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Around 5 lakh animals have been tagged in the state.
The project is yet to gather pace, though. Most farmers either do not have the necessary data for preparing the UID or fight shy of the transparency it brings to cattle rearing. Pointing to this experiment, experts fear the BJP government's proposal for cattle shelters may similarly fall by the wayside.
D Parkale, deputy commissioner of animal husbandry department in Pune, has been trying to convince small farmers of UID's benefits. "Tagging is mainly done for high-end varieties," he said. Farmers can send/ receive SMS updates and feedback from veterinarians. Experts analyze this data and suggest tips for better management and breeding.
Pune farmer Balasaheb Nagawade, who owns 300 cows and delivers lectures at agricultural universities, has been advocating the scheme. "For instance, the UID can save farmers from fraudulent cattle sellers who may claim a cow gives 20 litres of milk. If it ends up giving only 15 litres, the farmer faces loan repayment problems. If the animal is tagged, you can't manipulate lactation figures."
"However, few cattle-rearers remember the date an animal was born or gave birth. Seldo dothey quantify its feed or assess the amount of milk each cow gives," said V Nirmal of Prabhat Dairy in Ahmednagar who claims to have tagged 3,000 cows. The UID puts the brakes on a farmer's profiteering instinct. "Cows of a single breed look near identical so it is difficult for vets and insurance company representatives to tell each animal apart. A farmer may have insured four of 10 cows, but if one of the uninsur8ed six dies, he will stake a claim saying he lost an insured cow. Insurance officials can hardly tell the difference and are compelled to pay up. The UID prevents such fraud," said Parkale.
The tag helps avoid duplication of subsidy on the cow.. So unscrupulous farmers cut off the tag, indeed a piece of the animal's ear, to manipulate records or sell the animal before the prescribed waiting period.The government is testing an improved device.