FORAGE CROPS

Central Government Programmes and Schemes

Feed and 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. Frequent droughts in several States have 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 in the country. Presently, the Department is implementing a Central Sector Scheme viz. Central Fodder Development Organization. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme, "Assistance to States for Feed and Fodder Development" was continued with two components for third year of the Tenth Plan as a special dispensation in view of drought situation. A new scheme called "Feed & Fodder Enhancement Programme" is being approved shortly.

1. 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 this, a 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 and Central Fodder Seed Production Farm, Hessarghatta.

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) and a Central Fodder Seed Production Farm at Hessarghatta (Bangalore). These stations are catering to fodder related requirements of the States in their respective regions. These Stations also carry out extension activities through field demonstrations and farmers' fairs / field days. During 2004-05 (till January, 2005), these Stations have produced 172 tonnes of fodder seeds, conducted 4009 demonstrations, organized 49 training programmes and 82 farmers' fairs / field days.

B. 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. Seeds of high yielding fodder crops/grasses/legumes in fodder minikits are allotted to the State for onward distribution to farmers, free of cost. The quantity of seeds per kit varies from 1 kg to 5 kgs depending on the kind and variety of fodder crop. During 2004-05, 4.90 lakh minikits have been allotted to various States.

2. Assistance to States for Feed and Fodder Development.

This Centrally Sponsored Scheme provides central assistance to States to supplement their efforts in feed and fodder development sector. The scheme was operated with seven components up to 9th Plan, however, it has been discontinued during 10th Plan and only two components: i) establishment of fodder banks and ii) enrichment of straw/cellulosic waste have been revived up to March 2005 to facilitate assistance to States to combat the drought situation.

A. Establishment of Fodder Banks.

Under this scheme, assistance is provided to the States for establishment of fodder banks to preserve fodder for use during drought and scarcity period. During 2004-05 (upto January 2005), Rs.245.25 lakhs have been provided with the funding pattern of 75:25 (Central:State) for establishing 6 fodder banks in Nagaland (2 ), Mizoram (2), Maharashtra (1) and Arunachal Pradesh (1) respectively.

B. Enrichment of Straw and Cellulosic Wastes.

Under this scheme, 100% assistance is provided to States for enrichment of straw/ cellulosic waste for use as feed for livestock. This helps in increasing productivity and reducing the cost of milk production. During 2004-05 (upto January, 2005), Rs.593.93 lakhs have been provided to the State Governments of Uttar Pradesh (Rs 337.66 lakhs), Nagaland (Rs 30.00 lakhs), Mizoram (Rs.30.00 lakhs), Himachal Pradesh (Rs 5.00 lakhs), Maharashtra (Rs 5.28 lakhs), Assam (Rs 68.35 lakhs), Arunachal Pradesh (Rs 60.00 lakhs) and Sikkim (Rs.57.65 lakhs).