While in India, one of the primary focuses of our project was the dairy industry. India has the largest dairy co-operative in the world and the second highest milk production. We were fortunate enough to be able to spend some time at their facilities and travel with veterinarians to different co-operative societies and village in remote regions of two Indian provinces, Gujurat and Rajasthan. It was interesting to see first hand the intimate relationship people have with their dairy cattle. Both Holstein crosses and water buffalo are milked in India acounting for the majority of their cattle population which today is said to be approximately 280 million.
Buffalo produce milk with a higher fat content which is a greatly valued commodity in their society.
Traditionally milk is the only animal fat and protein consumed by Hindus and thus milk with maximal fat and protein levels has a higher monetary value. We also had a chance to learn about camels while visiting the Bikaner Agriculture University of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry. Knowing nothing about these weird and wonderful creatures it was a delight to learn some of the more interesting facts about them. They pee backwards. Remember this when next you stand behind one.