Assam education minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya. File image: Northeast Now

In an encouraging move, Assam education minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya has brought four Jersey cows for the purpose of dairy farming at his own official residence of Minister’s Colony in Dispur.

It is the first time that a Cabinet minister of Assam has started the process of dairy farming inside his own official residence, according to reports.

The minister is yet to shift to his new residence but the four cows have already settled comfortably there and each of the cows are looked after by four persons.

The four persons who have been hired by Bhattacharya for the management of the farm are paid Rs 300 per day.

There is a daily production of 20 to 25 litres of milk in the farm which is used for the minister’s personal use and for the temples of Guwahati.

Apart from Bhattacharya, the only other minister to start a dairy farm inside his residence was Lalu Prasad Yadav, the former chief minister of Bihar.

The Jersey cows are a popular breed of dairy cattle which produces milk with high butterfat content.

Moreover, the popularity of rearing Jersey cows are due to lower maintenance costs and superior grazing ability.