N. C. DAS GUPTA 43
Another important factor also requires attention. The excessive amount of nutrients necessary
can be reduced without impairing the production with better efficiency of animals.
Table III shows that the digestible protein and energy requirement of milch cows and buffaloes
for maintenance alone are 4.8 and 6.6 times more than what is required for production of milk. The
amount of digestible protein and net energy for maintenance are 755.0 thousand tons and 16,753,800
thousand therms respectively as compared to 158.2 thousand tons and 2,554,000 thousand therms
for production. With higher rate of milk yield the number of animals can be reduced for the same
amount of production, thereby reducing the maintenance requirement to a great extent. With
better efficiency more bullock power can also be obtained with less number of bullocks. This point
has already been discussed by Das Gupta [1945].
SUMMARY
It is estimated that out of 1,619.7 thousand tons of protein and 57,304,550 thousand therms fuel
available from food grains, seeds and milk, about 1,219.3 thousand tons of protein and 48,370,000
thousand therms fuel are required per year for 56 million human population of the province. The
balance which is equivalent to 2,257 thousand tons dry matter, 252.3 thousand tons digestible protein
and 4,481,960 thousand therms net energy, can be spared for the livestock.
The total requirement for maintenance, growth, production of milk or work for 30,208,247
livestock, excluding sheep, goats and swine, is 74,294 thousand tons of dry matter, 3,489.6 thousand
tons digestible protein and 69,128,997 thousand therms net energy per year. The present total
yield of 3,047 thousand tons of milk can provide, on an average, 5.3 oz. per head per day. If the
consumption is to be increased to 8.0 oz. about 1,554 thousand tons more milk will have to be
produced and the total requirement for livestock will increase to 3,569.9 thousand tons digestible
protein and 70,411,997 therms net energy.
The amount of nutrients available for feeding livestock is 36,596 thousand tons dry matter,
813.6 thousand tons digestible protein and 23,880,890 thousand therms net energy which is only
49, 23, and 34 per cent respectively of the requirement.
Fodder crops provide nearly twice as much net energy as grain crops per acre. Though 4.8
times more protein and 2.9 times fuel is necessary for 30 million livestock than what is required for
56 million human population, only 3.6 per cent of the total cropped area is under fodder. With the
present condition of poor yield, it is not possible to meet the requirement even if the total area
corresponding to the excess of grains after providing for human population is put under the best
fodder crops.
The shortage can be met if the yield can be increased by 50 per cent and about one-fifth of the
total area is put under fodder crops, mainly legumes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This report owes its origin to a suggestion of Major G. Williamson, Animal Husbandry Commis-
sioner with the Government of India and to the expressed desire of Mr F. Ware, C.I.E., Director of
Animal Husbandry, United Provinces.
The author is indebted to Mr F. Ware for the interest taken and for provision of some statistical
data and also to Major G. Williamson for the consultation of his note 'The food requirement of milch
and other cattle in India and suggested means of providing this' submitted to the Milk sub-committee
of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research. Dr S. P. Srivastava, Research Assistant, was of
great help in the computation of data.
REFERENCES
Das Gupta, N. C. (1945). Weed out low producers for better returns. Indian Farming, 6
Health Bulletin, (1937). The Nutritive Value of Indian Foods and the Planning of Satisfactory Diet, 23
Kellner, O. (1926). The Scientific Feeding of Animals
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