Field Day on Fodder Production Strategies in The Islands

Animal Science Division, ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair conducted a Field Day on 7th May 2022, under NABARD funded project to augment the fodder production in the islands in-order to improve the productivity of the livestock. A total of 24farmers from Hasmatabad, Ranchi Basti and Indira Nagar were imparted with first-hand knowledge and fodder production technologies at the Fodder Germplasmunit of Animal Science Division. At the outset Dr. P.A. Bala, Course Director led the participants around the Cattle & buffalo unit, followed by piggery, goat and poultry unit. He explained the daily chores of the individual units and their management. Dr. T. Subramani, Course Co-directorexplained the specialty of fodders like Bajra-hybrid Napier (Co-4. Co-5, Co-6 and DHN-6), Guinea grass, Para grass and leguminous fodders (Cowpea, Beans,Sesbania, etc.). He also explained about the climate, field preparation, sowing and management of different fodders in the island scenario. Then a demonstration on Bajra hybrid Napier fodders was done. The fodders were cut in the field to make stem cutting and a small patch of land was sown with the cuttings. The farmers were also demonstrated with chopping of the fodder grasses with electric chaff cutter and were fed to the cattle. Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI in his address, explained about the importance of feeding balanced nutrition for increasing the productivity. He urged the farmers to take advantage of the Field Day and try to translate in their village to develop as a fodder village. Fodder slips of Bajra Napier Hybrid were also distributed to the farmers. The programme was attended by Dr. D. Bhattacharya and Dr. Jai Sunder, Course Co-directors.