MAINTAINING A 'DUNG HERD' IN THE TEA GARDEN FOR LIQUID ORGANIC MANURES

摘要

Liquid organic manures based on cow dung and cow urine and green biomass are the cheapest option offered by the ancient science of vrikshayurveda. A frequently asked question is whether any figures can be given for producing these manures on the tea garden? The green biomass is fresh available and grows abundantly in the northeast and in the Nilgiris. But for cow dung and cow urine, cows need to be kept. Approximately one cow is needed per acre of plantation. Keeping cows just for dung and urine is called "dry dairy" or still better "dung herd". These cows are not being kept for producing milk and therefore their feed is also the barest minimum-paddy straw, salt and a tiny amount of mustard or groundnut oilcake. During the day they can roam freely and graze on the green grass and wild vegetation. At night they need to be penned in a cattle shed and provided with dry fodder and clean drinking water. Their dung and urine is collected in the morning.. The cost of producing liquid organic manures basedon cow dung and cow urine are thus essentially the cost of maintaining a "dung herd". Here are some approximate figures based on the current prices in the Siliguri market. They may vary slightly in different areas but will give the growers a very good idea of the costs involved in maintaining a "dung herd".