Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction Briefly introduce India’s freshwater resources. Mention the average annual precipitation and per capita water availability. State the paradox of water abundance versus scarcity. 2. Current Water Resources Overview Fact: India receives an average annual precipitation of 1,170 mm, totaling about ...
Model Answer 1. Feed and Fodder Shortages A major constraint to dairy farming in India is the shortage of quality feed and fodder. This is due to changes in land use patterns, urbanization, and the declining productivity of pasturelands. India faces a 35.6% deficit in green fodder, impacting the nutRead more
Model Answer
1. Feed and Fodder Shortages
A major constraint to dairy farming in India is the shortage of quality feed and fodder. This is due to changes in land use patterns, urbanization, and the declining productivity of pasturelands. India faces a 35.6% deficit in green fodder, impacting the nutrition of livestock.
2. Low Productivity
The productivity of dairy animals in India is low compared to global standards. The milk yield of Indian cows is only two-thirds of the world average. This is mainly due to limited access to quality feed, traditional feeding methods, and inadequate veterinary care.
3 .Poor Animal Healthcare
India’s veterinary infrastructure is underdeveloped, contributing to poor animal health. Over 3.2 million cattle and buffaloes contracted Lumpy Skin Disease in 2022-2023. Additionally, there is a shortage of 55,000 veterinarians in the country, as reported by the National Sample Survey Organization.
4. Inadequate Technological Progress
The dairy sector in India struggles to adopt modern technology due to its unorganized structure. As a result, 3% of milk, equivalent to around 5 million tonnes, gets wasted due to lack of refrigeration and power supply.
Achieving White Revolution 2.0
- Breeding Technologies
To boost milk production, India needs to focus on genetic improvement through new breeding technologies. Techniques like sex-sorted semen can increase the likelihood of producing female calves, thus improving productivity. - Affordable Animal Nutrition
Reducing dependence on expensive compound cattle feed is essential. Farmers should be encouraged to grow protein-rich, high-yielding green fodder grasses to make livestock feeding more affordable and sustainable. - Improving Animal Health
Strengthening veterinary services by increasing the number of veterinarians and setting up mobile clinics is crucial. Preventive healthcare programs should also be implemented to safeguard livestock from diseases. - Adopting Modern Technology
Encouraging the use of automated milking machines, milk testing equipment, and data analytics for herd management can significantly improve efficiency and productivity in dairy farming. - Access to Credit
Customised financial products are essential to help farmers purchase high-quality livestock, invest in infrastructure, and adopt modern technologies.
By addressing these challenges and implementing these measures, India can successfully embark on White Revolution 2.0, transforming its dairy sector into a more productive, efficient, and sustainable industry.
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Model Answer Introduction India experiences an average precipitation of 1,170 mm per year, translating to around 4,000 cubic kilometers of rain annually, or approximately 1,720 cubic meters of fresh water per person. With 18% of the global population and only 4% of the world's water resources, IndiaRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
India experiences an average precipitation of 1,170 mm per year, translating to around 4,000 cubic kilometers of rain annually, or approximately 1,720 cubic meters of fresh water per person. With 18% of the global population and only 4% of the world’s water resources, India should theoretically have sufficient water. However, the country endures significant water scarcity, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
Reasons for Water Scarcity in India
Unequal Distribution
Water resources are not evenly distributed across the country. States like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh enjoy abundant water, while arid regions such as Rajasthan and Gujarat face severe shortages. This disparity leads to significant regional water stress.
Increasing Demand
Rapid urbanization in cities like Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad has escalated water demand. The burgeoning population in these urban areas exacerbates the strain on already limited water resources.
Overexploitation of Groundwater
Intensive agricultural practices in states such as Punjab and Haryana rely heavily on groundwater, leading to aquifer depletion. The over-extraction of groundwater has caused significant long-term damage to these vital resources.
Unsustainable Agricultural Practices
Practices like mono-cropping and excessive use of fertilizers contribute to water pollution, further contaminating freshwater resources and making them less available for consumption.
Climate Change
Prolonged droughts have increasingly affected states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, dramatically reducing water availability and exacerbating scarcity.
Poor Water Management
Inadequate irrigation infrastructure and inefficient water use in states like Bihar worsen the water scarcity issue. Poor management practices lead to wastage and ineffective distribution of water resources.
Conclusion
Despite India’s ample freshwater resources, the country faces water scarcity due to unequal distribution, rising demand, overexploitation, unsustainable practices, climate change, and poor management. Addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to improve water management and ensure water security for all.
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