Problem Statement 1
Presently the unique identification of an animal is aided by an ear-tag, which has the multiple limitations of losing the tag, tearing of the ear and hurting the animal etc. Hence, the same is being replaced by RFID chips on a pilot basis. Can this be reimagined with a set of cost effective IOT devices, which could not only help to just identify the animal, but monitor the vital parameters of the animal, provide alerts on its health status, when the animal is in heat, early detection of disease symptoms etc.?
Problem Statement 2
Can there be a Unique animal identification system using muzzle/iris mapping as in UIID/ Aadhar where finger print and iris mapping are used? Would that be a simple mobile app to achieve this and an appropriate linkage to a comprehensive database.
Problem Statement 3
Genetic mapping of animals: Technologies are now available to assess disease vulnerability of human beings using DNA analysis of body fluids like saliva. It would be of high advantage, to develop similar technologies focusing on animals which would possibly indicate the genetic make-up of the animal, its pedigree, possible milk yield etc., and that could help to outline designer feed for each animal for optimal yield, vulnerability of the animal to disease conditions, precautionary steps to be taken in this regard etc., provided it is cost effective.
Problem Statement 4
95% of cows in the States are crossbred. Theoretically, such crossbred animals should give 15 litres or more of milk per day. However, the average productivity of the cows in Kerala is around 10 litres only. One reason for this lower productivity is the absence of sound animal husbandry practices. Equally important is proper systems for tracking, tracing and managing the Artificial Insemination programme. Beneficial transformation would be possible, if the IT systems of KLD Board and Animal Husbandry Department be linked effectively and an Artificial Intelligence programme could be structured for effective Artificial Insemination Service delivery, using appropriate analysis.
Problem Statement 5
Traditionally animal husbandry is considered as an allied sector and depends on its linkages to agriculture sector as the roughage from agriculture operations constitute the basic feed for animals. This is appropriately supplemented by micro nutrients and supplements. However, Kerala has almost completely shifted to cash crops and non-food agriculture, making such feed sourcing limited. Commercial cultivation of fodder grass in fallow land parcels is an option, which requires identification of such appropriate land and ensuring their effective linkages with individual farmers or DCS or farmer collectives. Assessment of agricultural / horticultural products which can be used as feed in the various agro- climatic zones in the State, deploying technologies to explore effective aggregation and system prompted assessment whether such aggregation would be able to meet demand and supply, cost effectively, would actually transform the sector. A reverse swiggy /zomato model for such intervention need be explored. Mango/ pineapple/ jackfruit cultivation, horticulture production etc. can meet such requirements partly. The big stride in vegetable cultivation and steps towards self-sufficiency in this regard are also conducive factors. The presence of tech enabled procurement startups like Farmers fresh need to be leveraged. Damaged stock of FCI and cereal merchants, vegetable market waste etc., can also be dovetailed into such a system.