Cow and its role in the sustainable development

Abstract

During Vedic times the economy, agriculture, medicinal aspects of society are directly or indirectly based on cows and bulls. There is a close relationship between human welfare and welfare of the cows. When we consider milk alone, now-a-days, milk is processed in automated dairies, by blending several additives. In such dairies, the main motive is the profit for the business at the cost of exploitation of cows. There is no question of protection of cow’s interest. When we consider the expenses involved in the processing and distribution of milk, in big cities the milk is collected from various sources and processed through large automated dairy units. Such units require labor, engineers, inspectors, managers, accountants and so forth which is leading to artificial employment as it actually increases the cost of the product drastically. Incidentally we should know that government and economists always talk in terms of reducing unemployment but not in terms of eliminating unemployment. If unemployment is to be eradicated, then everyone will be perfectly satisfied. There will be no possibility of manipulation by capitalists. True employment will see that everyone contributes meaningfully to the welfare of the social body at large. The issue of unemployment is really a topic unto itself. In the present context of automated dairies, we can easily see how they displace the farmers and milkmen. When we consider the costs involved, (for economical purposes): the actual cost of the milk is simply the cost of maintaining the cows in a healthy condition. On the other hand so much of money is diverted to the maintenance of the employees of the dairy; it indirectly means that the real assets are being misdirected to capitalists and administrators. When all that money could be invested in the maintenance of cows in healthy conditions the production costs would automatically reduced. And large number of cows can be protected. In addition to this when we consider the costs of collecting the milk from various “farms”, the operation and maintenance costs, the costs for transportation of milk and so forth. The tankers would have to be refrigerated to prevent milk from souring. But when we consider the transportation costs alone, for collection and distribution of milk diesel costs are to be considered. Electrical power maintenance of tankers, associated factories, skilled workers, engineers, fuel costs etc., also charge the overhead costs of actual production of milk. By now one can see that how whole operation gets simple when not relating the milk production industrially and treating it to be a simple naturally available process. When we consider the “invisible costs” due to the health hazards from milk additives, lack of cleanliness, research, and loss of spiritual acumen. Keywords: agriculture, cow, development, sustainable