Spending a day at the farm might sound like a delightfully rustic idea. And it is without a doubt. Though the Livestock Research Station at Kattupakkam, about 35 km from Chennai on the way to Chengalpet is commonly referred to as a ‘farm’, do not be misled. Behind that singularly unpretentious euphemism lies one of India’s most regarded and highly sophisticated livestock research facilities in existence today.The ‘farm’ tag actually has some history attached to it, as the facility’s head, Dr P Kumaraswamy explains. “This place was originally started as sheep farm in 1957, and that is probably how the name has come to stick.” Subsequently, the farm was upgraded into a Livestock Research Station in 1969, under the aegis of the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. Spread over a vast 620-acre property, the farm is among those that draw the attention of rail commuters as it is adjacent to the track. “At the very basis of it all, the research we do, however advanced it may seem, is directed to make our livestock extremely saleable and also increase its productivity,” says Dr D Thyagarajan, director, Centre for Animal Production Studies, who oversees the working of the facility. He recalls how research work conducted at the station has yielded several incentives for livestock breeders and the industry in general. “Sheep, cattle, pigs, fish…whatever species of livestock is available commercially, chances are it is a variety that has been genetically studied and provided for its optimum quality, taken by the breeders from here,” he adds. However, the research does not stop with meat varieties that are currently being consumed in the State. “When we find that a particular variety of animal is being consumed internationally, we check to see if it is nutritious, viable to be reared in India and see if it is cost effective before investing in the import of the animal for initial research.” That explains how non-native poultry like the ostrich and emu were brought to the station.“Some markets take off initially and then fizzle out, like the demand for rabbits,” adds Thyagrajan. “But we strive to make disease-resistant cross breeds.” When the demand rises, they will have the best breeds raring to go.“Everyone here is a vet, professor and researcher rolled into one,” explains Kumaraswamy. They also have an agri-section that researches the best fodder crops grown to suit every species of livestock. Not to mention the fact that it provides an in-house food supply for the animals. “Most people are unaware that almost every high produce yielding livestock is a cross between an imported and local breed,” claims Thyagarajan. In other words, the piece of meat on your plate could be the result of years of sophisticated research at the farm. Raise a toast to that.
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