Parvaiz Ahmed Reshi & Gowher Gull Sheikh

Though SKUAST-Kashmir has many success stories to talk about but the one discussed below of a young boy in his twenties with many options available around, the basic training of dairy farming conducted by Animal Nutrition’s Division of SKUAST-Kashmir motivated him to take up dairy farming as the means of livelihood applying his basic knowledge of engineering to make cow farming something different than the conventional one.
Moeed Nazki, a former PhD scholar at Monash University’s SPARCHUB (Smart Pavements Australian Research Collaboration) program, where he was researching sustainable airport runway design and construction, developed an interest in the dairy industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. He delved into the intricacies of the dairy industry and became fascinated by the economy, research gaps, and mathematics involved. The use of IoT devices for cattle health monitoring piqued his curiosity as well.
Moeed shifted his focus to develop a sustainable framework for his own farm, with the short-term goal of collecting vegetable and garden waste from his customers to use as fodder for cattle. He has received enthusiastic participation from many of his customers. In the long term, he plans to use biofuels to incorporate green energy into his farm. Moeed’s vision extends beyond publishing research papers, as he aims to deliver back to the community by implementing sustainable practices on his own farm and sharing his knowledge and experiences with others.
Moeed’s passion for sustainability has led him on a fascinating journey from airport runway research to the dairy industry. Through his dedication and research, Moeed has discovered innovative ways to contribute to a greener world. His short-term goal of implementing sustainable practices on his own farm and his long-term goal of utilizing biofuels demonstrate his commitment to this vision.
“With all this in mind I thought to receive the basic training in dairying and dairy farm operations and in this end I am grateful for the support received from the Division of Animal Nutrition, SKUAST-K, where i participated in the MSME-funded Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Training programme entitled “Feeding and Nutrition management of Dairy Cattle” to learn the basic Dairy farm practices predominantly the feeding management that forms the major input component of dairy farming,” Moeed said.
“Feeding is an important component of Dairy farming and accounts for more than 60% of the total cost of production in dairy farming, the present training was planned to impart the basic training of preparing and formulating the low-cost balanced ration for cattle, besides educating the participants about the basic dairy farm operations and we are very happy that a highly qualified participant, Er. Moeed came out as an entrepreneur in dairy farming,” Training Coordinator, Dr. Gowher Gull, Senior Assistant Professor at the Division of Animal Nutrition said.
“On my personal visit along with the Head, Division of Animal Nutrition to the dairy farm of Er. Moeed Nazki, it was satisfying to learn that there is a positive impact of the training imparted to the youth from our division,” Dr. Gull added.
Professor & Head, Division of Animal Nutrition, A.M. Ganai said that Training youth for taking up entrepreneurship in the feed and livestock industry is a regular practice of the Division of Animal Nutrition and the present training was organized for the rural youth financially supported by MSME under the aegis of Directorate of Planning, SKUAST-Kashmir and we pledge to continue such field-oriented training for skilling the rural youth to take dairy/Sheep farming as entrepreneurship
Moeed has purchased 16 Jersy and Holstein Friesian cows from Punjab and has been collecting milk and marketing it himself in the vicinity of Gulabagh avoiding intermediaries and making good business.
“My present milk production is around 150 litres/day and I sell milk at Rs. 55/litre and my farm is presently doing well and I expect production will improve as the animals adapt to our climatic conditions and their nutritional status through balanced and supplemental feeding is improved,” Moeed said.
“I have also constructed eight vermicompost pits to convert dung into organic fertilizer that will add to my income. In the long run, I will mechanize the farm operations where I aim to have the least human involvement in the different dairy operations,” he added.
Moeed has the plan to expand the dairy farm operation and take his farm to the next level under the technical guidance of SKUAST-Kashmir. His success will definitely motivate many youths to replicate his plan.
Dr. Parvaiz Ahmed Reshi is Assistant Professor (Animal Nutrition), Mountain Livestock Research Institute-Manasbal and Dr. Gowher Gull Sheikh is Assistant Professor (Animal Nutrition), Division of Animal Nutrition, SKUAST-K. The authors can be mailed at [email protected]/[email protected]

KR Desk