In the heart of India’s agricultural landscape, a quiet revolution is underway, one that promises to reshape livestock farm management and potentially send ripples through the energy sector. Sanjay Mate, a researcher from Govt. Polytechnic Daman, has been delving into the world of livestock management, exploring how technology can transform an age-old industry.
Mate’s work, published in the ‘International Journal of Emerging Research in Engineering, Science, and Management’ (which translates to ‘International Journal of Emerging Research in Engineering, Science, and Management’), sheds light on the evolution of livestock management from manual to automated systems. The shift is not merely about efficiency; it’s about sustainability, animal welfare, and economic viability.
“In the 21st century of digitalization, technology has a key role in improving overall monitoring, controlling, and processing in livestock management,” Mate explains. His research highlights the energy-consuming and time-intensive nature of traditional livestock management, which also lacks assurances about animal welfare.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. Automated systems can optimize resource use, reducing energy consumption and costs. For instance, automated feeding systems can ensure precise feed intake, minimizing waste. Similarly, automated monitoring can help detect diseases like foot and mouth disease (FMD) and mastitis early, preventing the need for voluntary culling and reducing energy spent on managing outbreaks.
Moreover, the integration of blockchain technology in livestock management, as hinted at in Mate’s research, could revolutionize traceability and transparency. This could lead to more efficient supply chains, reducing energy waste and costs.
The research also touches on grazing management, an area ripe for technological intervention. Automated grazing systems could optimize pasture use, reducing the need for energy-intensive practices like mowing and fertilizing.
Mate’s work is a call to action for the industry to embrace technology. As he puts it, “This paper has gone thoroughly into the manual and automated livestock farm management, aiming welfare of animals, livestock products, consumers’ benefit, and sustainable environmental approaches.”
The future of livestock management lies in the intersection of technology and sustainability. Mate’s research is a stepping stone in this direction, offering insights that could shape the industry’s trajectory. As the world grapples with climate change and energy crises, such innovations could not be more timely.