Trinath
Port Blair, Feb 22: A seminar cum demonstration on “Revolution in Dry Fodder For Livestock” was conducted at Billyground around 4 PM by the National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Bangalore in cooperation with Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science, CIARI and NABARD. The expert scientist of the NIANP explained the farmer during the seminar session that India has developed a technology for using dried and shredded Area sheath for livestock (cow & goat). The scientist said that this dried and shredded Areca can give separately to animals or Dried and shredded Areca sheath in the form of total mixed ration (TMR: Crude protein 136%, Total digestible nutrients 58%) along with suitable proportion of concentrate mixture to support milk production. Using this technology has reduced the cost of feeding dry Fodder and also increased milk yield by 7- 10% and milk fat by 0 .2 – 0.3 units.
He said that the farmers from Karnataka and Kerala regions have shown keen interest in this technology. The feeding processed Areca sheath to lactating animals, replacing paddy straw, has proved an economic value, when compared to paddy straw, higher digestibility of dry matter and fibre were observed on feeding shredded Areca sheath to sheep as dry Fodder; and no adverse effects were observed. He informed that this NIANP Technology has brought into Andaman &Nicobar Islands by AMAAPCO LTD. (a milk producer co.) with support of NABARD, Port Blair. He urged the farmer community that they could have been obtain this opportunity if they are interested, may get financial support from NABARD & said the NIANP will ready to extend all logistic support to the farmers.
