Small Cow vs Big Cow: Which Is Better for Indian Climate and Low-Cost Farming?
In India’s diverse agricultural landscape, choosing the right cattle breed is a crucial decision for farmers — especially for small and marginal producers. With rising costs of feeds, limited land resources, and increasing climate stresses such as heat waves and droughts, the debate between rearing small cows and larger cattle breeds has gained renewed attention. Why Cattle Matter in Indian Farming Cattle have been part of India’s farming system for centuries, providing milk, dung for manure, draft power, and socio-cultural value. In fact, many rural households keep just one or two indigenous bovines not just for milk, but also for dung, ploughing and overall livelihood support, reflecting the multifaceted role cattle play beyond dairy sales. Understanding the Difference: Small vs Big Cows 1. Feed, Water & Cost Efficiency One of the biggest challenges for small-scale farmers is the cost of maintaining cattle . Larger breeds, whether crossbred cattle or exotic milch cows, typicall...