Uttar Pradesh has taken a historic stride in cow protection and rearing with wide-ranging initiatives being implemented to ensure the welfare of cows while simultaneously bolstering the rural economy and empowering farmers.
Currently, 6,708 rural cow shelters (Go-ashray sthal) are operational across the state, utilising 100 per cent of the tagged ‘gauchar’ (grazing) land, which spans 9,091.21 hectares. Priority has been given to green fodder production on this land to address the nutritional needs of cows, ensuring sustainable care and protection.
Green fodder has been cultivated on 5,465.93 hectares of tagged grazing land, covering 60.12 per cent of the total area. Of this, Napier grass has been grown on 1,007.99 hectares, while Berseem and Sorghum fodder have been produced across 4,457.93 hectares. This initiative marks a significant step towards providing nutritious food for cattle.
The districts with the highest number of cow shelters in the state are Jalaun (396), Hardoi (357), Hamirpur (319), Banda (309), Chitrakoot (306), Budaun (297), Unnao (291) and Mahoba (266), where large-scale green fodder cultivation is actively underway.
The Yogi Adityanath government has distributed 7,404.41 quintals of jowar fodder seeds to districts and provided 810.80 quintals of certified Berseem fodder seeds to farmers. These initiatives aim to make cow shelters self-reliant in fodder production while encouraging farmers to engage in fodder cultivation.
Napier root slips are being distributed to farmers to promote cow-based organic farming, with 35 lakh roots distributed so far. This initiative aims to encourage sustainable agricultural practices while contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
The Yogi government’s initiatives have not only contributed to cow conservation but are also boosting the rural economy. Cow shelters are utilising dung and urine to produce organic manure, providing farmers with cost-effective and efficient fertilisers. These efforts align with the goals of self-reliance and sustainable development, significantly transforming rural areas.
