The importance of the cow economy in India, particularly in regions like Braj Mandal, cannot be overstated. Cows are not merely livestock but are considered sacred and play a vital role in the pastoral economy of the area. The traditional practice of worshipping and honouring cows is deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of the Agra and Mathura districts.

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has recognized the significance of cow wealth and implemented various schemes to support the rural economy. Initiatives such as producing cow dung manure, providing shelter to thousands of cows, and tagging cows for identification highlight the government's commitment to preserving this integral aspect of the economy.

Read in Hindi: गौ-अर्थव्यवस्था और जैविक खेती है भारत का भविष्य

Gaushalas, such as the one in Barsana run by Ramesh Baba, serve as hubs for cow care and contribute significantly to the local economy. Individuals like Padamshri Sudevi, who runs a Gaushala in Radha Kund, emphasize the economic potential of cow dung and advocate for farmers to keep cows to enhance their livelihoods.

Moreover, the promotion of organic farming through the use of cow dung manure and compost not only benefits the environment but also reduces reliance on harmful chemical fertilizers. By integrating traditional practices with modern techniques, the Braj Mandal region can address the challenges of development while preserving its cultural identity and promoting sustainable agriculture.

The cow economy in India, as exemplified in Braj Mandal, serves as a model for rural development that emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between cattle, agriculture, and community well-being. Moving forward, prioritizing the welfare of cows and leveraging their economic potential can pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future for the region.

A few years ago, the former divisional commissioner of Agra, Pradip Bhatnagar had declared Mathura district as Gau Kshetra but no follow-up action was taken. Cow Economics is now being recognised as a pragmatic model of rural development and several schemes are being implemented in the district which has more than a hundred Gaushalas. Barsana's Gaushala run by patron saint Ramesh Baba is the biggest with over 50,000 cows.

 In Radha Kund, Padamshri Sudevi, a 60-year-old German lady, runs a Gaushala with over 1600 injured and sick cows. Sudevi wants farmers to augment their incomes by keeping a few cows. "The government should buy back the cow dung to make it attractive for farmers to keep cows," she said.

Steps have been initiated to free cattle grazing pastures in the twin holy towns of Mathura and Vrindavan, and encroachments demolished on the Yamuna river bed to develop more grazing grounds for the cattle.

Since excessive use of chemical fertilisers was only causing a whole lot of health problems and robbing the farmland of its fertility, the use of cow dung manure and compost or vermicompost could help promote organic farming in a big way.

Saints in Braj Mandal say that the identity of Braj is from forests and cows and both were under threat. Tradition had to be integrated with modern techniques and new answers explored to face the challenges of development.

Organic farming is the way to look ahead and to sustain it we need cattle wealth. The Braj area has many gaushalas and the number of cows exceeds a lakh. The cow dung collected can promote gobar gas, enrich the soil and reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers.