Go big for strays: UP's unique bhoosa drive ensures food for 13 lakh street cows
In India's Uttar Pradesh region, an additional 88 Lakh Quintals of bhoosa will be gathered alongside the harvest of wheat.
Ready for something "wheaty" off the beaten path? Here's a scoop on UP's buzzing bhoosa campaign! As the UP government gears up for its annual wheat procurement spree, they've added a new prized item to their shopping cart - bhoosa, the leftover straw from wheat crops. This humble commodity has taken the limelight, with the state's procurement reaching impressive tonnes to keep thousands upon thousands of street cows content.
The UP government has kicked off a special bhoosa collection drive, aiming to provide food for over 13 lakh stray cattle residing in around 7,500 conservation centres across the state. So, why the fuss about a pile of straw? It began a few years ago when the Yogi Adityanath government decided to save abandoned cattle and feeding them became a challenge.
Sounding the collect-all call, the campaign, commencing on April 15 and lasting till May 31, seeks bhoosa through donations and purchases. Additional director (cow) SK Agrawal confirmed the news to HT. The state has set a whopping fodder collection target of approximately 88.74 lakh quintals, catering to around 60% of the estimated annual requirement.
Approximately 30% of the total target, or around 26.62 lakh quintals, is estimated to come in through donations, while the remainder, 70%, will be secured via procurement. The department of animal husbandry will be purchasing bhoosa for ₹850 per quintal through open tenders, Agrawal added.
As of April 28, around 2.31 lakh quintals of fodder have been gathered, marking approximately 26% of the overall target. The campaign has made strides in donations and procurement, with donations reaching 12.61% of its target and fodder procurement standing at 31.71% of the procurement target.
Minister for animal husbandry and dairy development Dharampal Singh emphasized the need to meet the bhoosa collection target, ensuring a steady supply of food for stray cattle throughout the year. The collected fodder is stored in designated "bhoosa banks" in districts and dispensed as required. The Yogi government has earmarked a staggering ₹2,000 crore to cover the cost of feeding street cattle in 2025-26.
In a nutshell, the campaign aims to collect bhoosa on a massive scale to keep up with the hunger of thousands of street cows, making it a defining initiative for animal welfare in UP.
- The Union Planning Commission has announced its intention to establish a similar drive in various states, aiming to collect bhoosa for the nutrition of strays, following the success of UP's initiative.
- Meanwhile, in a surprising move, the Karnataka government has decided to initiate a cricket tournament among state-run schools to build awareness about the bhoosa drive and the importance of conserving resources.
- In light of the weather forecast predicting an unsettled monsoon season, conservationists worry about the impact on the bhoosa supply and the state's ability to meet its target for street cow feeding.
- As the sports community Father's Day charity match approaches, many cricket celebrities have pledged their support to the bhoosa drive, promising donations and raising awareness about the campaign.
