Draught animals: Eco-friendly energy source for the country Singh S. P.1,*, Dave A. K.2 1ICAR-Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering (CIAE), Bhopal-462038, Madhya Pradesh, India 2Department of Farm Machinery and Power, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Raipur, 492012, Chhattisgarh, India *Corresponding Author singhsp65@gmail.com
Online Published on 10 January, 2024. Abstract Agriculture cannot be completed without the mention of animate power for farm. This might be the reason of getting place in our Vedas and Samhita that represents the happiness and prosperity to the Society and people. Livestock populations were 536.752 million in year 2019 while backyard and commercial poultry were 317.07 and 534.74 million, respectively. Out of 536.752 million livestock population, population of draught animal (bullocks and buffaloes) is 33.44 million. Various equipment and technologies have been developed since 1987 by the cooperating centres of All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Increased Utilization of Animal Energy with Enhanced System Efficiency (UAE). Draught animal comes under renewable energy category and provides a source of power for farm operations and manure for crop production by improving organic carbon in soil. This is environmental friendly source of energy for the country as a pair of draught animal save 247.6 litre and 881.2 litre diesel (fossil fuel) per annum when compared the same area to be operated by mechanical source of farm power (tractor and power tiller), respectively. Therefore, correspondingly, they eliminate 78.636 kg and 279.9 kg CO2 emission per annum. If 16.72 million pair of animal is utilised in the country, then the saving of diesel and prevention of carbon emission would be 4.14 million litre diesel and 1.31 million ton per annum, respectively by not using tractor for these farm operation. Presently, dung and urine production per annum from draught animal alone is estimated to 122.07 million tonnes and 132.44 million cubic meter, respectively that may be utilised in organic farming. There is need to promote the marginal and small farmers, utilising the animal drawn equipment/ technology efficiently, as they are getting the benign effect of their draught animal on the environment. Top Keywords Draught animal, Carbon emission, Fossil fuel saving, Population, Organic farming. Top |