The curious case of Sosamma Iype and the Vechur cow

Relevance: GS - 3 – Economics of Animal-Rearing

Context: Dr. Sosamma Iype received the Padma Shri in 2022 for her remarkable achievement in saving and reviving the Vechur cow, an indigenous cattle breed in India.

Background

  • Introduction to Post-Independence Challenges: India faced poverty and food scarcity at Independence, necessitating both industrial development and meeting basic citizen needs.
    • Due to which, agricultural universities were established post-Independence to modernize farming and animal husbandry.
  • Impact of Green and White Revolutions: While the Green Revolution increased agricultural output and the White Revolution boosted dairy production, they also led to the decline of indigenous breeds like the Vechur cow.
  • Crossbreeding: Crossbreeding efforts favored larger, commercially viable cattle breeds, endangering smaller indigenous breeds like the Vechur cow.
    • Hence, looking at this situation, Prof. Iype initiates a mission to revive not only the Vechur but also other endangered indigenous breeds.

The Project's National Impact

  • Recognition and Adoption: Prof. Iype's project gains national attention and is adopted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
  • Expansion and Template Creation: The Vechur Conservation Project becomes a model for nationwide conservation efforts.
  • Community Empowerment and Social Impact
  • Establishment of Vechur Conservation Trust: Prof. Iype establishes a trust to empower impoverished farmers by providing them with Vechur germ-plasm.
  • Impact on Farmers and Society: Her efforts enable farmers to achieve greater self-reliance and contribute to community development.

 

Vechur cow

  • The Vechur cow is a rare breed of cattle indigenous to Kerala, India, specifically from the Vechur village in Kottayam district.
  • It is known as the smallest cattle breed in the world, standing at an average height of about 90 centimeters and being around one meter long.
  • Despite its small size, the Vechur cow is known for its high milk-producing capacity and the quality of its milk.
  • The milk of Vechur cows is believed to have medicinal qualities, and it is easy to digest due to its smaller fat globule size.
  • These cows require less care, feed, and maintenance, making them well-suited for small-scale farming.
  • Vechur cows are also known for their active and strong nature, with bulls previously used for work.
 

Guaranteed MSP is an ethical imperative

Relevance: GS – 3 – Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies and Minimum Support Prices

  • Context: The article discusses agrarian concerns and the importance of Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Inadequate Implementation of MSP

  • Annual Announcement: MSP is announced annually for 23 crops covering both kharif and rabi seasons, but its implementation remains poor.
  • Limited Benefit: Only 6% of farmers, primarily in states like Punjab cultivating paddy and wheat, benefit from MSP, while most transactions occur below MSP, rendering farming economically unviable for the majority.
  • Produce and Perish Trap: Farmers trapped in a cycle of produce and perish face high debt and resort to suicide, highlighting the urgent need for effective MSP implementation.
  • Legal Recourse to Guarantee MSP
  • Constitutional Provisions: Several articles under the Constitution support legal measures to ensure MSP, aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants.
  • Public Support: Recent opinion surveys reflect strong public solidarity with farmers' demand for a legal right to MSP, emphasizing its widespread recognition and support.
  • Initiatives and Bills: Various initiatives, such as those in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and private member bills in Parliament, aim to establish a legal framework for MSP, indicating ongoing efforts to address the issue.

Success Stories and Future Possibilities

  • Sugarcane Model: Sugarcane growers benefit from a statutory MSP enforced by sugar factories, demonstrating the feasibility of effective MSP implementation.
  • State-Level Initiatives: States like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have laid out clear roadmaps and draft bills to ensure a legally binding MSP, showcasing progress and potential strategies.
  • Legislative Efforts: Private member bills and state-level initiatives underscore the sustained push towards establishing legal guarantees for MSP, indicating that the objective is both feasible and necessary.

Challenges in Current Approaches in Implementing MSP

  • Policy Gaps: Existing schemes like PM-AASHA lack comprehensive support and have been sidelined in policy discussions.
  • Intermediary Concerns: Establishment of a legally binding MSP may reduce the share of intermediaries, leading to resistance from certain quarters.
  • Free Market Dogma: Adherence to free market principles often impedes effective intervention to address farmer income crises.

Proposed Solutions

  • Legal Amendments: Minor amendments to State APMC Acts or the Essential Commodities Act can ensure that transactions occur at or above MSP.
  • Comprehensive Approach: Alongside legal recourse, developing backward and forward linkages and enhancing post-harvest infrastructure are essential.
  • Enhanced MSP: Increasing MSP to provide a 50% profit margin over total costs is feasible and can significantly benefit farmers.
  • Effective Procurement and Distribution: Ensuring effective procurement and distribution mechanisms, as outlined in the National Food Security Act, is crucial for MSP implementation.
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