Herbs oust antibiotics
Because of restrictions on the use of antibiotics, livestock farmers are increasingly resorting to herbal remedies, bacterial drinks and other natural products to make and keep their animals healthy. Although there might not always be hard medical evidence, farmers sometimes get spectacular results from natural remedies.
Please read this article in Wageningen World.
More balance, less antibiotics - India exchange visit 2015
Last Wednesday, 23 April 2015, a mixed delegation of Ethiopians, Ugandan and Dutch livestock professionals went to India in addition to the Exchange visit from a Dutch delegation to Africa in March. This visit, which is part of the E-motive program, is sequential to the exchange between India and the Netherlands last year, enhanced by some African partners. For more information on the exchange: http://emotiveprogram.org/blog/projects/antibiotics-reduction/
Also this time an inspiring delegation participates in the program consisting of several veterinarians, farmers, professors, a representative of a farmer union, professors and other cattle specialists. Additionally, two social researchers from Kaleidos Research contributes to the program by monitoring and evaluating the learning process.
During this ten days visit the delegation stays at the TDU – Transdisciplinary University in Bangalore, which is the location of the I-AIM Healthcare Centre as well. The aim of this institute is to give a place to the old, traditional remedies and knowledge within modern healthcare. In those institutes information of a breath-taking amount medicinal plants and related treatments according to the Ayurvedic principls already has been digitally documented as well as a comprehensive herbarium.
The Dutch delegation is, due to the demand of antibiotic reduction, highly interested in this vision and searching for a more natural way to treat livestock. Dr. Shankar gave an inspiring introduction on the holistic vision including both human and animals: similar to the one health principles. As Dr. Shankar said: “The very roots of modernity lies in tradition”, since chemicals will affect human health, livestock and environment; where management is a very important part of working with livestock.
To get an impression and understanding on the Indian way of livestock sector, numerous parts of the production chain are visited during this ten days. To begin the delegation went to different type of farmers: some local, small holder farmers and a farm which is producing natural fertilizer and natural pesticides from cow urine. This last farm is holding indigenous breeds to preserve those cattle varieties. On the second day in India, Kolar Chikkaballapura Milk Union was visited; this cooperation receives milk from 2919 villages on two districts. In total they have 278 212 members. All members are small holder farmers, which means the farmer holds 1 to 3 cows per farm. On Monday the group travelled to Chennai, where several official meetings were organized to discuss the essentials of this program with members of TANUVAS University: Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. Other interesting excursions include the veterinary clinic and laboratories of TANUVAS, Karnataka Milk Federation and MILMA - Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.
In Kochi, located at the West-Coast of India, a small symposium was organized on Tuesday. To finish up with the exchange visit another two day symposium will be organized at the end of the visit.
In September the Indian delegation will come to the Netherlands for the next part of the exchange.
Dutch delegation visited Ethiopian State Minister for Livestock Development
As part of the E-Motive Exchange visit (Exchange project between Netherlands and Ethiopia/Uganda on cattle breeding for resilient dairy farming and improved milk quality) a Dutch delegation of dairy experts visited the State Minister of Livestock Development in Ethiopia. The State Minister proudly presented the Ethiopian Livestock Master Plan for the next 15 years. This plan aims is to stimulate the commercial dairy sector in 3 major areas: crossbreeding, improved animal health and feeding.
The aim is to have 5 million crossbreds milk cows for the milk supply of the cities. The government has decided that only Holstein Friesian (HF) or Jersey breed (sperm or cows) may be imported. The State Minister: “A lot of milk has to be produced because the need for dairy is large and everything is imported now. People need money and food to survive. Milk products can bring in that money. And we cannot do without antibiotics. We are aware of the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but first we go for quantity and later for more quality”.
After saying this the delegation discussed that there may be more ways to reach the required food security. Ethiopia counts with a rich biodiversity: all ecosystems between 140 m below sea level and 4000 meter above sea level are present. There are 36 local livestock breeds with very specific values; some of these breeds producing 10 liters of milk a day when properly fed. Why expect everything from foreign companies, HF cows and antibiotics? The discussion about these issues continued for over one hour beyond the time planned. The State Minister of Livestock was also invited to come to the Netherlands for the return visit of the exchange in September, including to visit our Minister of Agriculture. He could not confirm straight away but certainly seemed interested.
Moreover, it was agreed to continue the exchange of views and experience with the State Minister this Thursday (March 26) after visiting various milk factories and dairy farms.