Why New Technologies are Ignored in Developing Countries

Technologies are the mile stones for developments. The high cost evolved in developing such tools make it non reachable for the poor nations. However, the obsolete technologies are being awarded as aids. Thus the poor farmers are forced to adopt such redundant technologies. Dairying is also not an exception.

Dairying has become an independent animal project even though it remains still a byproduct of crop production. To implement dairying land requirement is a cardinal factor. The poor nations where all the land is reserved for crop production fodder cultivation becomes a necessary evil there. The development of feed technology to enhance the crop residue utilization was popularized in the the third world. The methods suggested were straw treatment with various chemicals which is demonstrated to the farmers to do it at their door steps by them. The scientists who took such projects took for granted that farmers have enough free time where as he toils all his time in the fields for crop cultivation. Ultimately the projects were failures.

Development of feed industry brought in a helping hands to support dairying in he third world. The classic example is Indian dairy scenario developed by NDDB. The development of ‘balanced cattle feed’ by compounding agro-industry byproducts balanced with minerals and vitamins became popular. The BCF was not similar to concentrate feeds used in developed nations to supplement forage feeding. It was almost a complete nutrient feed to cover the nutritional requirement while feeding straw and stiovers a poorly digested feedstuff. The nutritional standards of BCF were geared up by developing technologies based on bypass nutrients to meet higher milk production. By accepting the faster adoption of BCF the developed nations gave feed equipment to support feed industry. 

Needless to mention the vital role of R&D efforts to bring in sea changes in any development projects. FAO and aids from developed nations were the hope for poor nations. But in course of time instead of need based technologies the obsolete ones discarded at those countries were given as gifts like giving an old motor car for a poor man. Eventually he becomes more poor by spending on repairing. What was needed indeed was developing suitable technologies for those nations.

1. Fodder compounding plants. Since compound feed manufacturing plants proved to be beneficial fodder compounding plants need to be developed instead of spending huge fund for fodder cultivation. Sweet haylage techlology plants are suitable 

2. Rumen manipulator. UMB became unacceptable owing to several factors. Apart from energy costs for conversion molasses handling equires special permit in India. The new generation lick blocks with raw sugar, minerals, additives, amino acids and fatty acids would be a better choice

It is a non contested fact that fund availability is the crux of the problem. When funds are made available to implement obsolete technologies FAO and local Govt agencies close the eyes towards the above technologies with a question to show its running. During 1950 when Dr. Kiroen suggested to produce milk powder from buffalo milk the same question was asked. But the strong footing of Dr. Kurien changed it to a success story. Therefore some bold steps are needed to break the ice. 

Today the milk production in India is around 126 MMT and is expected to reach 156 MMT by the close of 2015 (NDDB publication). The unique attribute of Indian dairying is its position as a subsidiary to agriculture. Landless laborers also participate in milk production. The contribution of milk from specialized dairy farms is non significant. Therefore the development of better conversion efficient feeds and good producers and the establishment of better veterinary coverage was accepted the axiom of development keeping the old Operation Flood program of infrastructure developments and milk marketing. Therefore the new NDP 1 project is more an animal project than a marketing one. The success of such project will largely depend on the critical technology developments. Breaking ice to set free the suitable technologies is cardinal. The availability of funds for R&D will go a long way to reach the goal. The project authorities will delve into such technology developments shedding the conservative approach to the products and processes. 

Encouragements to the scientists to develop new technologies are needed. The new experiments should be examined with theoretical discussions, closed trials and pilot projects. Feed technology should be viewed in combination of animal nutrition and process engineering. The current approach to keep feed milling and animal nutrition separately has to be changed.