Capuchin friars on a Central mission

The Capuchin friars attached to the Saint Antony’s Friary at Tillery here are making a modest contribution to the Centre’s ambitious Rashtriya Gokul Mission, a scheme to protect indigenous cow breeds.

Last week, the friary volunteered to adopt a cow and calf from the endangered Vechur breed.

The friary, in the heart of the city, has a dairy farm from where a substantial quantity of milk is sold everyday.

Friar Francis Assisi, in charge of the farm, said on taking note of the steps taken by the friary to promoting organic farming, a benefactor of the friary suggested the idea of adopting a Vechur cow.

“Though not commercially viable, the friary welcomed the move,” Fr. Assisi said. The benefactor, who does not wish to be identified, bought the cow from a family at Ezhukone and entrusted it to the friary.

The deal

He also entered into a deal with the friary to purchase the milk and dung of the cow. Fr. Assisi said the cow yielded two litres of milk a day. He said the friary had an ample spread of grassland and the cow was being let out to graze there.

“Though a small quantity of cattle feed is being given, the cow is mostly fed grass on the yards of the friary,” Fr. Assisi said. “The cow is very gentle and easy to handle,” he added.