13

                                    TABLE VIII.

                         BREEDING OPERATIONS.

49. It is pleasant to be able to state that interest in the im-
provement of cattle is being shown by all local bodies and to
meet the wishes of the people, a committee was formed which
will go into this question, and obtain locally the opinions of the
persons most interested in the industry. There is not the least
doubt in my mind that there is a great future for it in this
province, for the market exists and the demand for good bullocks
and more especially for milch cows is rapidly increasing in
Bengal, and for the latter class in Calcutta, and in the industrial
areas. About four thousand, five hundred maunds of milk
are required daily in Calcutta alone, and the amount necessary
to meet requirements in other industrial areas is also very large—
about 8,000 cows are exported from Shahabad for this purpose
and of course are lost to the province for ever. That is very
serious from the cattle improvement point of view. There
appears to be no sound reason whatever why there should not be
a reversal of this state of affairs, that is, the milk should be
supplied and the cows retained for the improvement of the local
breed. Under existing conditions it would take many years to
effect improvement when there is such a serious drain on the avail-
able supply of good cows, because naturally only the best are
bought for export; by keeping them in the province, the problem
would be considerably easier of solution and results be obtained
very much earlier.

50.  The establishment of Government farms in Patna and
Shahabad districts and of co-operative dairies under competent
management appears to be the best and most economical methods
of accomplishing the desired improvement in Bihar, and the same
remarks apply to Orissa where the cattle are in as great or even
greater need of attention. If energetic measures are taken for
improvement and development, success is assured but to achieve
this, considerable sums will be needed.

51.  In order to stimulate interest in dairying and cattle breed-
ing a lecture was delivered at Patna by Mr. Smith, the Imperial
Dairy Expert under the presidency of His Excellency the
Governor. The meeting was largely attended by the public.
It is hoped that similar meetings will be arranged for during
the coming year, and at times when it will be possible to get the
member of the council to be present.

52.  Forty-four stud bulls are maintained in the districts
against fifty-two in 1923-24. Two new bulls were purchased,
while eight died. The details are shown in the table.