Fodder Development 

 The nutritive value of feed and fodder has a significant bearing on productivity of livestock. Due to increasing pressure on land for growing food grains, oil seeds and pulses adequate attention has not been given to the production of fodder crops. Further, on account of diversified use of agriculture residues, the gap between the demand and supply of fodder is increasing. According to the report of Working Group on Animal Husbandry and Dairying for 10th Five Year Plan of Planning Commission, the available fodder can meet the demand of only 46.7 per cent of livestock. The last year’s drought in several States has also brought out the need to develop fodder banks in vulnerable areas and strategies for improving the efficiencies of fodder supplies from one region to the other region of the country. The department has two schemes viz.1) Central Fodder Development Organization and 2) Centrally Sponsored Scheme: i Assistance to States for Feed and Fodder Development (A New scheme on Development of Fodder is under preparation). 

Central Fodder Development Organization

Under this scheme , 7 Regional Stations for Forage Production & Demonstration located in different agro-climatic zones of the country and 1 Central Fodder Seed Production Farm, Hessarghatta, Bangalore are being operated. Besides these, one Central Minikit Testing Programme on Fodder Crops is being funded under this scheme. The details are as under; 

A. Regional Stations for Forage Production and Demonstration:

For production and propagation of certified seeds of high yielding varieties of fodder crops and pasture grasses/legumes, the Government has established 7 Regional Stations at Mamidipally, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat), Hissar (Haryana), Suratgarh (Rajasthan), Sahema (Jammu & Kashmir), Alamadhi (Tamil Nadu) and Kalyani (West Bengal). These stations are catering to requirement of fodder seeds of the farmers of different agro-climatic regions. These stations also carryout extension activities through field demonstrations and farmers’fairs/field days.

During 9th Plan, these stations produced 844 tones of fodder seeds against a target of 1213 tonnes seeds and organized 7522 field demonstrations against a target of 7850 demonstrations. Besides, 157 training programmes and 94 farmers’ fairs/ field days were also organised against the target of 110 training programmes and 106 farmers’ fairs/ field days respectively. During 2002-2003 these Stations have produced 179 tonnes fodder seeds, conducted 1839 fodder demonstrations and organized 17 training and 23 farmers’ fairs/field days against the target of 283 tonnes, 1760 nos., 24 nos. and 25 nos. respectively. During the current year up to February’ 2004 these stations have produced 105 tonnes of fodder seeds, conducted 1841 demonstrations, organized 18 training programmes and 17 farmers’ fairs/field days against the target of 280 tonnes, 1800 nos., 25 nos. and 25 nos. respectively.

B. Central Fodder Seed Production Farm, Hesserghatta.

In addition to the regional stations, the Central Fodder Seed Production Farm, Hesserghatta is also engaged in production of seeds of fodder crops and pasture grasses/legumes. The farm is fully equipped with modern machinery and equipment as well as seed-storage and processing capacity. During Ninth Plan, the farm produced 783 tonnes of fodder seeds against the target of 720 tonnes seeds. Besides, the farm also organised 570 demonstrations 9 training programmes and 11 farmers’ fairs/ field days as against the target of 550 nos., 10 nos. and 11 nos. respectively. During 2002-2003, the station produced 70 tonnes fodder seeds, conducted 150 demonstration, 2 training programmes and 3 farmers’ fairs/field days against the target of 165 tonnes, 150 nos., 2 nos. and 3 nos. respectively. During the current year, up to February’ 2004, the farm has produced 41.40 tonnes of fodder seeds, conducted 150 demonstrations organized 2 training programmes and 3 farmers’ fair/field days against the target of 160 tonnes, 150 nos., 2 nos. and 2 nos. respectively.

C. Central Minikit Testing Programme on Fodder Crops. 
.
Minikit demonstrations on fodder crops aim at making farmers aware through field demonstrations about latest high yielding varieties of fodder crops and improved agronomic package of practices to increase production of green fodder. Certified seeds of high yielding fodder crops/grasses/legumes produced at Regional Stations and Central Farm, Hesserghatta, are used under this scheme. During Ninth Plan, 16.73 lakhs fodder minikits were distributed against a target of 15.00 lakhs to Animal Husbandry Departments and State Dairy Federations of various States for onward distribution to the farmers free of cost. During 2002-03, 4.00 lakhs nos. of fodder minikits were distributed. For the year2003-04, it is proposed to distribute 4.74 lakhs minikits against a target of 4.00 lakhs. 

Assistance to States for Feed and Fodder Development.

This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under which central assistance was being provided to States to supplement their efforts in feed and fodder development sector. This scheme has been discontinued during 10th Plan. However, two components of this scheme ; i) establishment of fodder banks and ii) enrichment of straw/cellulosic waste have been revived up to March’2004 to facilitate the States to combat the last drought situation. 

A Establishment of Fodder Banks.

Under this scheme, assistance is provided to the State Governments for establishment of fodder banks to preserve fodder for use during drought and scarcity period. Large areas in many States are used for growing grass, which could be preserved in the fodder banks. During Ninth Plan, assistance of Rs.289.49 lakhs was provided for establishment of fodder banks in the different States of the country. During 2002-03, assistance of Rs.123.65 lakhs was given for establishment of 5 fodder banks (2 in J&K, 1 in Karnataka and 2 in Uttaranchal). During 2003-04, Rs. 76.985 lakhs have been provided for two fodder banks (one each in Tripura and Mizoram). Funding pattern of the scheme is 75:25 (Central:State).

B. Enrichment of Straw and Cellulosic Wastes.

Under this scheme assistance is given to the farmers to enrich the quality of straw used for livestock, by treatment with urea and molasses. This help in increasing productivity and reducing the cost of milk production. During 9th Plan, assistance of Rs.524.30 lakhs was provided to the different States. During 2002-2003, an amount of Rs.168.15 lakhs has been provided to the Government of Chhattishgarh, Karnataka, Punjab,Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Nagaland and Mizoram. Funding is in the form of 100% Central grant. During 2003-2004, Rs.123.015 lakhs have been provided to the State Governments of Maharashtra (Rs.8.44 lakhs), Tripura (Rs.20.00 lakhs), H.P. (Rs.2.00 lakhs), Rajasthan (Rs.40.00 lakhs, Karnataka (Rs.25.00 lakhs) and Nagaland (Rs.27.57 lakhs).

2. New Centrally Sponsored Scheme – “Fodder Development”.

A new Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fodder Development during the 10th Plan is under process. The salient features of the scheme are as under :

 Under this scheme , 7 Regional Stations for Forage Production & Demonstration located in different agro-climatic zones of the country and 1 Central Fodder Seed Production Farm, Hessarghatta, Bangalore are being operated. Besides these, one Central Minikit Testing Programme on Fodder Crops is being funded under this scheme. The details are as under; 

A. Regional Stations for Forage Production and Demonstration:

For production and propagation of certified seeds of high yielding varieties of fodder crops and pasture grasses/legumes, the Government has established 7 Regional Stations at Mamidipally, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat), Hissar (Haryana), Suratgarh (Rajasthan), Sahema (Jammu & Kashmir), Alamadhi (Tamil Nadu) and Kalyani (West Bengal). These stations are catering to requirement of fodder seeds of the farmers of different agro-climatic regions. These stations also carryout extension activities through field demonstrations and farmers’fairs/field days.

During 9th Plan, these stations produced 844 tones of fodder seeds against a target of 1213 tonnes seeds and organized 7522 field demonstrations against a target of 7850 demonstrations. Besides, 157 training programmes and 94 farmers’ fairs/ field days were also organised against the target of 110 training programmes and 106 farmers’ fairs/ field days respectively. During 2002-2003 these Stations have produced 179 tonnes fodder seeds, conducted 1839 fodder demonstrations and organized 17 training and 23 farmers’ fairs/field days against the target of 283 tonnes, 1760 nos., 24 nos. and 25 nos. respectively. During the current year up to February’ 2004 these stations have produced 105 tonnes of fodder seeds, conducted 1841 demonstrations, organized 18 training programmes and 17 farmers’ fairs/field days against the target of 280 tonnes, 1800 nos., 25 nos. and 25 nos. respectively.

B. Central Fodder Seed Production Farm, Hesserghatta.

In addition to the regional stations, the Central Fodder Seed Production Farm, Hesserghatta is also engaged in production of seeds of fodder crops and pasture grasses/legumes. The farm is fully equipped with modern machinery and equipment as well as seed-storage and processing capacity. During Ninth Plan, the farm produced 783 tonnes of fodder seeds against the target of 720 tonnes seeds. Besides, the farm also organised 570 demonstrations 9 training programmes and 11 farmers’ fairs/ field days as against the target of 550 nos., 10 nos. and 11 nos. respectively. During 2002-2003, the station produced 70 tonnes fodder seeds, conducted 150 demonstration, 2 training programmes and 3 farmers’ fairs/field days against the target of 165 tonnes, 150 nos., 2 nos. and 3 nos. respectively. During the current year, up to February’ 2004, the farm has produced 41.40 tonnes of fodder seeds, conducted 150 demonstrations organized 2 training programmes and 3 farmers’ fair/field days against the target of 160 tonnes, 150 nos., 2 nos. and 2 nos. respectively.

C. Central Minikit Testing Programme on Fodder Crops. 
.
Minikit demonstrations on fodder crops aim at making farmers aware through field demonstrations about latest high yielding varieties of fodder crops and improved agronomic package of practices to increase production of green fodder. Certified seeds of high yielding fodder crops/grasses/legumes produced at Regional Stations and Central Farm, Hesserghatta, are used under this scheme. During Ninth Plan, 16.73 lakhs fodder minikits were distributed against a target of 15.00 lakhs to Animal Husbandry Departments and State Dairy Federations of various States for onward distribution to the farmers free of cost. During 2002-03, 4.00 lakhs nos. of fodder minikits were distributed. For the year2003-04, it is proposed to distribute 4.74 lakhs minikits against a target of 4.00 lakhs. 

Assistance to States for Feed and Fodder Development.

This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under which central assistance was being provided to States to supplement their efforts in feed and fodder development sector. This scheme has been discontinued during 10th Plan. However, two components of this scheme ; i) establishment of fodder banks and ii) enrichment of straw/cellulosic waste have been revived up to March’2004 to facilitate the States to combat the last drought situation. 

A Establishment of Fodder Banks.

Under this scheme, assistance is provided to the State Governments for establishment of fodder banks to preserve fodder for use during drought and scarcity period. Large areas in many States are used for growing grass, which could be preserved in the fodder banks. During Ninth Plan, assistance of Rs.289.49 lakhs was provided for establishment of fodder banks in the different States of the country. During 2002-03, assistance of Rs.123.65 lakhs was given for establishment of 5 fodder banks (2 in J&K, 1 in Karnataka and 2 in Uttaranchal). During 2003-04, Rs. 76.985 lakhs have been provided for two fodder banks (one each in Tripura and Mizoram). Funding pattern of the scheme is 75:25 (Central:State).

B. Enrichment of Straw and Cellulosic Wastes.

Under this scheme assistance is given to the farmers to enrich the quality of straw used for livestock, by treatment with urea and molasses. This help in increasing productivity and reducing the cost of milk production. During 9th Plan, assistance of Rs.524.30 lakhs was provided to the different States. During 2002-2003, an amount of Rs.168.15 lakhs has been provided to the Government of Chhattishgarh, Karnataka, Punjab,Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Nagaland and Mizoram. Funding is in the form of 100% Central grant. During 2003-2004, Rs.123.015 lakhs have been provided to the State Governments of Maharashtra (Rs.8.44 lakhs), Tripura (Rs.20.00 lakhs), H.P. (Rs.2.00 lakhs), Rajasthan (Rs.40.00 lakhs, Karnataka (Rs.25.00 lakhs) and Nagaland (Rs.27.57 lakhs).

2. New Centrally Sponsored Scheme – “Fodder Development”.

A new Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fodder Development during the 10th Plan is under process. The salient features of the scheme are as under :
1. Cultivation of high yielding varieties of fodder/fodder seeds-15000 hac. 
2. Assistance for conservation of fodder through conversion of feed blocks – 40 units. 
3. Assistance for enrichment of straw/stover - 40000 beneficiaries.
4. Assistance for establishment of fodder banks – 40 units.
5. Extension and training for beneficiaries in improved cropping packages, use of high yielding varieties, fodder enrichment techniques, compressing and bailing techniques for feed blocks etc.

Tentatively a provision of Rs.25 crores has been made in the 10th Plan for this scheme. The funding pattern of the scheme has been proposed as 75 :25 (Central:State).

Cattle Development Organizations Sheep Development Poultry Piggery   Fodder Development  Live Stock Health HOME