Production and Productivity Increase of Milch Animals through the Supply of Green and Dry Fodder in Non-Delta Districts of Tamil Nadu
Abstract
In India, fodder production is less than the demand and hence deficit is noticed in different states with varying per cent of deficit observed in many states. To alleviate the deficiency of green and dry fodder and to maximize t he fodder production for increased a productivity of livestock was studied among 310 respondents of 23 non -delta districts of Tamil Nadu. The results showed that, gain among different types of faming, increased quantum of feeding and increased body weight gain and daily average milk yield among the indigenous as well as cross breed animals.
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Introduction
Fodder refers mostly the crops which are harvested and used for stall feeding of livestock. Cultivated fodders are broadly divided in to two groups, namely legumes and non -legumes. They are further grouped into annuals and perennials. Annuals are seasonal crops. Perennials remain for more than one year on the field, usually for 3 to 4 years. Another classification of fodder crops are cereal fodder, grass fodder, legume fodder and tree fodder. It is estimated that the average cultivated are a devoted to fodder and forage availability in about 53 per cent for dry and about 68 per cent for green fodder (MoA, 2011). Fodder production in India is highly dependent on rainfall hence drought like situation will further intensifies the fodder scarcity. Drought reduces the fodder production in certain years by as much as 15 -100 percent of a normal year (Dikshit and Birthal, 2010). Generally for livestock, the feed comprises of dry fodder, green fodder and concentrate of which dry fodder forms the major share. The rearing practices of livestock also changed from traditional production system in to scientific technology oriented farming. In order to make fodder available at the village level and to overcome the distress sale of livestock, cultivation of green fodder and production of dry fodder for supply to the famers of non -delta districts except Chennai as been taken up during 2011 -2013 with the following objectives
- To study the quantity increase of fodder crops such as fodder sorghum in non -delta districts
- To ascertain the production and productivity of milch animals through the supply of green and dry fodder
Conclusion
The economic viability of livestock sector depends on the sources of feed and fodder. Newer farming management techniques like use of drought resistant fodder crops, balanced feeding, and producti on oriented feeding management have received wider acceptance at various levels among the farmers.