The farming of cows plays a vital role in rural economies and helps provide essential agricultural goods including milk, meat, and dung. Cows are used in food production, medicine, and industry and they help improve environmental health. This article examines the various functions and applications of cow farming, emphasising how it affects sustainability, agriculture, and the economy.
Here are some points which are related to the environment and cows:
- The ecology benefits greatly from the mere existence of cows.
- There are over 30 crore cattle in India. Every year, we may save 6.0 crore tons of firewood by using their faeces to generate biogas.
- Cow manure plays a significant part in protecting the environment.
- Burning cow dung removes airborne pathogens and regulates the temperature of the atmosphere.
- Cow manure was used to make African deserts fertile.
- By treating water with cow dung, we may lower its acidity.
Uses and Roles farming of cows:
1. Uses in Agriculture:
Indian agriculture is vast. No farm product is anything we don’t cultivate. Many types of cereals, legumes, fruits, vegetables, flowers, cotton, and silk are grown on our land. Approximately 70% of our people have chosen to work in agriculture. The majority of them own one or two acres of land and are modest farmers.
In terms of land topography, soil type and quality, irrigation technique, and harvesting frequency, our agricultural environment is varied and vibrant. An essential part of this huge agricultural canvas is cattle. Oxen are used for irrigation, ploughing, harvesting and moving crops, and using cow urine as a pesticide and cow dung as fertilizer.
Role of cow in agriculture:
There is no better option than using cows in farming in our nation, which has modest holdings and small-scale agriculture. In comparison to machines, oxen plough with a soft walk that does not damage the earth’s surface.
The oxen fertilize the earth by urinating and defecating even when they are ploughing.
These beneficial insects are unaffected by insecticides made from cow urine or well-fermented buttermilk. One cow’s dung can fertilize five acres of land, while its urine may keep insects away from ten acres of crops.
2. Cow Helps in Food Production:
Cow’s milk is the primary source of nutrition for a nursing mother. After a mother feeds her infant for a year or two, the cow becomes our all-time haven. The cow reserves plenty for us and feeds its calf.
A key component of many well-known drinks, such as tea, coffee, and others, is milk. Many desserts are made using milk. Such as Ghee, butter, and curd are important in Indian cuisine. Nothing compares to the taste of food deep-fried in ghee. In addition to providing the foundation for many of our favourite recipes, buttermilk also satisfies our thirst.
Role of cow in Food production
One of the most important functions of cows in the production of food is dairy production. Cow’s milk is processed to create a variety of dairy products that give people all around the world vital nutrients. It provides a valuable source of protein and other essential nutrients in own body which is called meat production.
In addition to rapidly producing dairy and meat, cows also improve soil health by adding manure to the soil. It plays a crucial role in food production by crop farming through grazing and land management practices.
Read Also: Types of cows
3. Role in Transportation
There are about 6,000 villages in India, many of which lack motorable, asphalted roads. Oxen can easily draw their carts in hilly areas that are too steep for even horses to walk on.
In 2004–05, Indian Railways, which has the world’s biggest railroad network, carried 55.7 crore tons of cargo. The menial ox carts carried 278.5 crore tons in the same year! During that year, ox carts carried 2044.8 crore people, whereas railroads carried 511.2 crore! Oxen have continuously transported up to 14 tons of cargo around the clock without food or drink. Above all, the carts don’t pollute the air or the sound.
Cow Oxen Help in Transportation
Historically, especially in rural and agrarian populations, cows especially oxen, which are male cattle that have been trained and castrated have been an important aspect of transportation. They were extremely useful as draft animals in many types of traditional transportation due to their strength, stamina, and versatility.
These are used in cart and wagon pulling, agricultural transport, plowing related transport. Long distance and travel, lodging and timber transport, and emergency area. It helps farmers to sell and purchase agricultural products from one place to another.
4. Cow products used in medicine
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) combines all the components such as physical, mental, spiritual, and social completeness. By 2020, microorganisms will no longer be susceptible to antibiotics, according to WHO predictions. Panchakarma, which includes cow dung, milk, curd, and ghee used for medical properties with no negative side effects.
Curd prevents cancer, regulates fat, and stops diarrhoea. Ghee enhances attractiveness and intellect. It is used to treat eye conditions. Distilled cow urine can effectively treat leprosy, bacterial infections, food poisoning, indigestion, oedema, arthritis, and the flu.
5. Ecological and Environmental Functions
Cow farming may benefit the environment if it is run responsibly. Rotational grazing, which involves moving cows between pastures to avoid overgrazing and give the soil time to recuperate, is one of the sustainable agricultural techniques.
Carbon may be captured and stored on pasture areas utilized for cow grazing, lowering greenhouse gas emissions. By keeping invasive species from invading grasslands and protecting animal habitats, grazing cattle contribute to their upkeep. By preserving plant cover and improving soil health, grazing cattle aid in the prevention of soil erosion.
Conclusion:
Cows have various important functions in agriculture, ranging from labour and soil improvement to the production of milk and meat. Farming of cows has several uses, including the production of vital food, financial gain, and environmental advantages. Farmers may optimize the advantages of cow farming while conserving resources for future generations by implementing sustainable techniques.
