Lucknow. On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, to ensure the continuously increasing heat in Uttar Pradesh and the availability of fodder for the animals in the coming months, the state government has started a large-scale 'straw collection campaign'. The government has estimated the requirement of about 131.40 lakh quintals of straw for a year. In comparison, a target of 60.99 lakh quintal chaff collection has been set. So far, 26.78 lakh quintals of chaff has been collected, which is about 43.9 percent of the total target.

Under this campaign, chaff is being collected through both donation and purchase. The Chief Minister has directed that temporary and permanent straw banks should be made at all cow shelter sites. Also, regular supply of straw should be ensured with the help of local farmers.

Lalitpur, Deoria and Gorakhpur are at the forefront in UP chaff collection campaign.

Lalitpur district is leading in the matter of straw collection in the state. Here, 102.9 percent straw has been collected against the set target. After this, 100.7 percent straw collection has been done in Deoria and 96.1 percent in Gorakhpur. Districts like Mau, Agra, Maharajganj, Saharanpur and Hardoi have also performed well. Whereas in districts like Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar, Sambhal and Etawah, relatively little progress has been made. The government has given instructions to further intensify the campaign in these districts.

Maharajganj and Jaunpur top in straw collection through donations

In the chaff collection campaign through donations, so far 2.65 lakh quintals of chaff has been collected against the target of 12.19 lakh quintals. This represents approximately 21.8 percent progress. Districts like Maharajganj, Jaunpur, Ghaziabad and Rampur are at the forefront in this category. The government has also appealed to social organizations, voluntary organizations, cow servants and common people to cooperate in the campaign, so that there is no shortage of fodder for the animals in the cow shelters.

Emphasis on quality animal feed in cow shelters

On the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, special attention is being paid to providing only quality and balanced animal feed in cow shelters. Instructions have been given that animal feed should be purchased only as per FSSAI standards and BIS certified IS 2023.

The government has also issued instructions to give priority to “Parag” animal feed prepared by PCDF. Apart from this, it has been made mandatory to mention batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date on the packing of animal feed. Arrangements are being made to provide at least 500 grams of balanced animal feed to each cow per day.

Thousands of straw banks made in UP, tender process also speeded up

So far, 1905 temporary and 7285 permanent straw banks have been established in the state. Along with this, the straw tender process is also being completed rapidly. The tender process has been completed in 14 districts, while the process is going on in the remaining districts. The silage tender process is also being taken forward rapidly. The government aims to ensure that adequate quantity of straw and animal feed is available in all the cow shelters, so that the animals do not face any problem even in conditions of heat and drought.

Special arrangements in cow shelters to protect from heat

The Chief Minister has given instructions to ensure provision of clean drinking water, adequate shade, coolers and fans at all cow shelter sites. Apart from this, supply of green fodder is also being ensured with the help of local farmers. The Government believes that cow conservation is not just a matter of religious faith, but is an important part of rural economy, dairy development and agriculture-based life system. For this purpose, the state government is taking forward straw collection, animal feeding and cow shelter management in mission mode.