Dairy farming 1n the city areas, specially big dairy should be discouraged, as this may cause environmental hazards to the dense population of the metropolitan area, reports UNB.

Big dairy farm also creates social problem in Metropolitan areas and this may also be treated as one of the constraints. according to the report of a recent study on "Cross Breed Dairy Development in Dhaka Metropolitan City."

According to the study carried out in 2,973 households in the city, number of big dairy in the metropolitan area was la bout 14 (0.38 per cent) and their owners mentioned about the objection raised by their neighbours as regards environmental pollution.

The study was conducted jointly by Dr GM Shahjahan, Member Director (Livestock), Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), and Dr AB Siddiqui. Principal Investigator and Deputy Director, Livestock Services, Dhaka Division.

The report suggested that

migration of pregnant heifers and milk cows from rural and semi-rural areas to the city areas should be controlled.

This can be done by encouraging the small and marginal farmers In the countryside by giving financial support In the form of loan and other measures so that they may not be Interested in selling their pregnant and milk cows to the city dwellers. This will help the growth of dairy In the countryside and Improve the economy of small and marginal farmers.

It recommended that the breeding facilities for the farmers should be Improved by setting up some artificial insemination (AI) points in the metropolitan area. Good quality semen should be kept in these AI points so that farmer can inseminate their cows from these points.

Veterinary service to the city, specially to the holders of small dairy farms, should be strengthened by establishing a number of veterinary dispensaries In the metropolitan area. Besides this, well-equipped

mobile veterinary hospital can be introduced, the report said,

It suggested expanding the extension service of the Directorate of Livestock Services in the metropolitan area. This' can be done by Increasing existing technical and sub-technical staff.

At present, there Is only jour Thana Livestock Officers In the metropolis. Another six posts of Thana Livestock Officers should be created for metropolitan city areas.

The report recommended regular short training programmes for the dairy farmers on fodder production and feeding and management of cross breed cows.

Such programmes can be or ganized by the Directorate of Livestock Services and also by NGOs In collaboration with BARC. utilising the existing training institutes of the Directorate of Livestock Services.

Government and NOOs should give financial support to the small dairy holders at the time of procurement of quality

animals and construction of farm house in the form of soft term credit

Financial support should also be given to the farmers so that they can procure balanced cattle feed at a cheaper rate. This will also help the farmers to grow cattle feeds and fodder.

Big farmers with more than 50 milk cows should be given facilities so that they can shift their farms from metropolitan area to urban or sub-urban areas of the city.

Private sectors should be encouraged to establish small cattle feed Industry by giving financial support from the government, the report recommends. The feed Industry will prepare balance feed and will sell to the farmers at fixed price recommended by the govern-

The report also recommended that milk processing plant should be established in the private sector with government financial support. This milk plant can collect fresh milk from the farmers for processing and marketing,