BAIF Development Research Foundation

The BAIF Development Research Foundation is an award-winning charitable organisation based in Urali Kanchan near Pune in Maharashtra, India, that pioneers agricultural development. It was founded in 1967 by Manibhai Desai as the Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation. BAIF has been a pioneer in cross breeding of high yielding European cattle such as Holstein Freisian and Jersey with the sturdy Indian breeds such as Gir from Gujarat.[1][2][3][4][5] Later BAIF expanded the scope of activities to include animal health, nutrition, afforestation[6] wasteland development, and tribal development.[7]

In 1997, the organization received the Adivasi Seva Sanstha award from the State Government of Maharashtra.

Nirman and VAPCOL

BAIF is a parent organisation for a youth organisation in Maharashtra, named as Nirman.VAPCOL (Vasundhara Agri-Horti Producer Co. Ltd.) is a multi state former organisation registered as a producer company under company's Act. VAPCOL is a for profit organisation promoted by BAIF. Currently VAPCOL has its independent website, Facebook page and sales through distribution network as well as online sales.

Criticism

Some critics of BAIF argue that the emphasis on imported breeds of cattle has been instrumental in the decimation of Indian breeds.[8] P. Sanath in the Hindu argues that cross-breeds give higher yields, but require more feed and are not suited to Indian conditions.[9]

Further reading
  • Dhruva, case study report at Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals[10]

References
  1. Deore, P.A., Sidhaye, V.J., Rangnekar, D.V., Hegde, G.R. and Mangurkar, B.R., 1990. Manual on crossbred cows .
  2. Bandyopadhyay ., A. (editor) (2005). Sustainable agriculture. New Delhi: Northern Book Centre. p. 27. ISBN 81-7211-184-3.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  3. Bhosrekar, M.R., 1990. Semen production and artificial insemination. BAIF Development Research Foundation.
  4. Howard, Connie (2000). In Gandhi's Footsteps: The Manibhai Desai & BAIF Story. New Age International Ltd. p. 114. ISBN 81-224-1221-1.
  5. "Biography at Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation". Archived from the original on 12 March 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
  6. Syed Noman Ahmad (1997). Rapid Rural Transformation Through Voluntary Action. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 43–83. ISBN 978-81-7533-052-8.
  7. Ahmad, Syed Noman (1997). Rapid rural transformation through voluntary action. New Delhi: MD Publications. p. 43. ISBN 9788175330528.
  8. Ramdas, Sagari R.; Nitya S Ghotge (August 2006). "TIndia's Livestock Economy: The Forsaken Dry lands". Seminar (564).
  9. Sainath, P. (6 January 2012). "Cattle class: native vs exotic". The Hindu. Chennai, India.
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 October 2006. Retrieved 15 September 2006.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)


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