IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVED FODDER, TUBER CROP &                       

AZOLLA  PRODUCTION / CULTIVATION IN LIVESTOCK  REARING .

The fact is undoubtedly established that the production of livestock particularly that of ruminants depends on the availability of quality feeds and green fodder and lion part of the management cost of cattle rearing is expended on feed.

  1. Feed & fodder cost constitute about 60-70% of cost of milk production thus cultivated fodder has an important role in meeting requirement of various nutrients & roughage to produce milk most economically as compared to concentrates.  
  2. Fodder crops like Combo Napier, Guinea, Congo Signal, Stylosanthes, cow pea  etc. are  very cheaper source of nutrients and  provide all the critical elements like highly digestible protein, carbohydrates, fats and minerals. Green fodders are a very good source of B-carotene (precursor of vitamin A).  Thus green fodders are useful in bringing down the cost of feeding and reduce the need for purchase of feeds/ concentrates from the market
  3. Shrubs and small trees (like Leucaena, Sesbania spp.) are very good and cheap source of protein and minerals and can be introduced between farm plots and have multipurpose utility.
  4. In case surplus fodder is available in some season it can be stored in form of silage or hay for lean season. 
  5. Tapioca being a carbohydrate rich tuber crop can be effeciently used as Pig feed after optimum processing.
  6. Azolla , being a protein rich aquatic fern has been proved to be effective in supplementing animal nutrition.
  7. The community pasture land in village level , numerous fodder trees of forest area are considered as  important & easily available sources of feed for cattle particularly of weaker sections like landless / small / marginal farmers. 

            But due to Fragmentation of land holding,Irregular distribution of Rainfall,Farmer’s skewing interest towards food and cash crops., Inadequate utilisation of Fodder tree resources & Lack of Conservation technology etc. , the availabilty of the nutritious green fodder at farmer’s doorstep has become a major point of concern now a days.

           Considering the above, the Department of Animal Resources Development exserting continuous effort on intensive fodder cultivation programme with the following objectives:

OBJECTIVES:

  1. To enhance the livelihood security of the livestock farmer through Fodder cultivation
  2. To extract maximum benefit from the unused barren land of the hilly areas of the State for sustainable livestock management .
  3. Soil and water conservation ,  Drought proofing , enhancing  the soil fertility by means of cultivation of appropriate fodder crops species  .
  4. Proper utilisation of natural resources.
  5. Adoption of conservation technology.

 

STATUS OF DIFFERENT FODDER AND FEED DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE FARMERS FIELD

DURING THE YEAR 2013-14 TO 2017-18            

SL NO. PARTICULARS FUND SOURCE UNITS DISTRIBUTED OR IMPLEMENTED (2013-14 TO 2017-18) (In Nos.) AREA COVERED (in Ha.) TENTATIVE GROSS PRODUCTION ( INCLUDING RATOON CROP) ( In Mt.)
1 PERENNIAL GRASS CULTIVATION MGNREGA, RKVY ETC. 6068 410.312 123931.7
2. TAPIOCA (TUBER CROP ) CULTIVATION MGNREGA 2278 195.45 6287.38
3. AZOLLA CULTIVATION AS A CATTLE FOOD SUPPLEMENT MGNREGA 868 0.34 81.34
4. MAIZE MINIKIT DISTRIBUTION AND CULTIVATION CSS/ NATIONAL LIVESTOCK MISSION ETC. 2191 175.28 4382
5. COWPEA MINIKT DISTRIBUTION AND CULTIVATION NATIONAL LIVESTOCK MISSION/RKVY ETC. 2700 84 1680
6. OAT MINIKIT DISTRIBUTION AND CULTIVATION CSS/ NATIONAL LIVESTOCK MISSION ETC. 2622 209.76 4195.2
7. DEMONSTRATION ON ENRICHMENT OF PADDY STRAW BY UREA STATE BUDGETARY PROVISION 1520 - -

PERFORMANCE REPORT ON FEEDS AND FODDER DEVELOPMENT (2016-17)

UNDER ANIMAL RESOURCES DEV. DEPARTMENT

Sl.no Name of the Items/ Departmental activities Unit Achievement
1 2 3 4
1. i)Production of fodder seed annually In Mt 0.15
ii)Requirement of  perennial cuttings annually Nos. in Lakh 10.32
iii)Requirement of  Tapioca cuttings annually Nos. in Lakh 2.283
Area under Fodder crops in Govt. Farms
2. i)Kharif/ Perennial In Ha. 18.32
ii)Rabi/ Annual In Ha 2.18
iii) Area under Pasture In Ha 30
Production of fodder in Govt. Farms
3. i)Green Fodder In Mt 1605.83
ii)Dry Fodder In Mt 36
Achievement in Govt. Farm
4. i)Green fodder supplied In Mt 1605.83
ii)Dry fodder supplied In Mt 36
iii)Tapioca plantation In Ha 10.48
iv) Silage production In Mt 360
v) Silage supplied In Mt 191.26
vi)Revenue earned ( by cash selling) Rs. In Lakh 2.97625
vii)Revenue earned  ( by supply value) Rs. In Lakh 37.50922
Achievement in Farmers field
5. i )Tapioca plantation In Ha. 67.28
ii)Tapioca production (expected ) In Mt 1682
iii) Perennial Fodder plantation In Ha. 73.0312
iv) Perennial Fodder production(expected) In Mt 8763.744
v)Fodder Minikit distribution In Nos. 2500
vi)Seed distribution under Minikit distribution In  Mt. 5.0
vii) Area covered under Minikit distribution In Ha. 200
viii) Seasonal fodder production In Mt. 4000
ix) Azolla cultivation Unit In Nos. 250
GRAND TOTAL ACHIEVMENT ON 2016-17 ( GOVT FARM + FARMER’S FIELD)
6. i) Area covered under Perennial & Seasonal Fodder grass In Ha. 293.53
ii) Production of  Perennial & Seasonal Fodder grass In Mt. 14369.5
i) Area covered under Tapioca cultivation In Ha. 77.76
ii) Production of  Tapioca tuber In Mt. 1943
 

UTILISATION OF MGNREGA FUND FOR FODDER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES UNDER ANIMAL RESOURCES DEV. DEPARTMENT DURING 2016-17

SL No Name of Districts PHYSICAL ACHIEVEMENT  (Nos. of units undertaken & area covered) FINANCIAL ACHIEVEMENT Actual Expenditure [ Rs. in lakh ] Man days Generation
MGNREGA FUND DEPT. CONV. TOTAL
1 WEST   Perennial grass- 203 Unit 19.88  Ha. Total : 203 Unit 19.88  Ha.   42.95712 1.195 44.15212 33399
2 SIPAHIJALA   Tapioca – 163 Units-20.8 Ha. Total : 163 Unit -20.8   Ha.   19.8324 0.75 20.5824 11600
3 KHOWAI Perennial Grass- 123 Unit-7.008 Ha. Tapioca- 100 Unit-8 Ha.   Total :223 Unit-15.008 Ha   23.78154 1.325 25.10654 10511
4 SOUTH Perennial Grass- 278 Unit-11.12 Ha. Tapioca- 204 Unit-16.32  Ha.   Total: 482 unit- 27.44 Ha.   44.0086 2.308 46.3166 19137
5 GOMATI Perennial Grass- 385 Unit-20.854 Ha. Tapioca- 136 Unit-10.88  Ha. Azolla- 108 Unit-0.0432  Ha.   Total : 629 Unit- 31.7772 Ha.   52.87148 2.564 55.43548 21659
6 NORTH Perennial Grass- 140 Unit-5.6 Ha. Tapioca- 50 Unit-4  Ha.   Total : 190 unit - 9.6 Ha   13.083 0.925 14.008 4776
7 UNAKOTI No implementation programme has been taken during 2016-17 NIL NIL NIL NIL
8 DHALAI Perennial Grass- 125 Unit-5.0 Ha. Tapioca- 135 Unit-10.8  Ha. Azolla- 15 Unit-0.006 Ha.   Total : 275 Unit- 15.806 Ha.   23.10507 1.23625 24.34132 10614
Grand Total : Perennial Grass- 1254 Unit-69.462 Ha. Tapioca- 788 Unit-70.8  Ha. Azolla- 123 Unit-0.0492 Ha 2165 Unit- 140.3112 Ha 219.6392 10.3032 229.942 111696

 

ACHIEVEMENT OF FODDER DEV. ACTIVITIES IN THE FARMERS’ FIELD UNDER RKVY Implementation period : 2016-17

SL. NO   DISTRICT ACHIEVEMENT DURING 2016-17
Nos. of Beneficiary covered Quantity of seed distributed @ 2 Kg. per unit Area Covered ( Ha.)   Production (Mt.)
01 West Tripura 250 500 20 400
Fodder Farm Under College of Vety. Science & A.H 100 200 8 160
02 Sipahijala 350 700 28 560
03 Khowai 150 300 12 240
04 Gomati 200 400 16 320
05 South Tripura 350 700 28 560
06 North Tripura 250 500 20 400
07 Unakoti 175 350 14 280
08 Dhalai 175 350 14 280
TOTAL OF NON ADC ZONE 2000 4000 160 3200
TTAADC        
01 TTAADC West Zone 120 240 9.6 192
02 TTAADC South Zone 150 300 12 240
03 TTAADC North  Zone 115 230 9.2 184
04 TTAADC Dhalai Zone 115 230 9.2 184
  500 1000 40 800
GRAND TOTAL OF THE STATE 2500 5000 200 4000
 
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES OF FODDER DEVELOPEMNT  UNDER MGNREGS DURING 2018-19

The Department of Animal Resources Development, Govt. of Tripura has taken an initiative on Intensive Grass land development, Azolla cultivation & other fodder development   programme for the year 2018-19.

Sl.  ACTIVITIES Per Unit Source of Fund (`. In Lakh)
MGNREGA   ARDD (DEPT. CONVERGENCE)   TOTAL UNIT COST
1 SILVI PASTURE & GRASS LAND DEVELOPMENT IN WASTE/ FALLOW / DEGRADED OR FOREST /KHAS LAND. [ @ 0.4 HA. PER UNIT] 0.5204 0.025 0.5454
2 GRASS LAND DEVELOPMENT IN FARMERS LAND  THROUGH CULTIVATION PERENNIAL FODDER(COMBO NAPIER/GUINEA) GRASS           [ @ 0.08 HA. PER UNIT] 0.15120 0.013 0.1642
3 GRASS LAND DEVELOPMENT IN FARMERS LAND  THROUGH CULTIVATION PERENNIAL FODDER(COMBO NAPIER/GUINEA) GRASS [ @ 0.04 HA. PER UNIT] 0.08695 0.0065 0.09345
4 PLANTATION OF TAPIOCA TUBER CROP  THROUGH LAND DEVELOPMENT OF  FARMER’S WASTE / DEGRADED LAND. [ @ 0.08 HA. PER UNIT] 0.15505 0.0045 0.15955
5 RAISING OF NURSERY CUM MULTIPLICATION CENTRE OF  PERENNIAL FODDER (COMBO NAPIER/ GUINEA)GRASS [ @ 0.16 HA. PER UNIT] 0.26385 0.026 0.28985
6 RAISING OF NURSERY CUM MULTIPLICATION CENTRE OF TAPIOCA TUBER CROP [ @ 0.16 HA. PER UNIT] 0.2904 0.009 0.29940
7 CULTIVATION OF AZOLLA [AS ANIMAL-FEED SUPPLEMENT] @ 4m2 PER UNIT 0.0381 0.00025 0.03835

 

MODALITIES FOR PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION:

  1. During the selection of beneficiary(s) by the Concerned PRI Body, preference should be given to the interested Animal rearers who have the required area of land for grass land development/ fodder cultivation.
  2. The selection of Beneficiary should be done in the Gram Sabha of the concerned area  in consultation with the Field level functionaries of the Department, so that the “ Bottom-up” approach can be maintained. Thus implementation of the projects can be requirement basis as well as location specific. Model Village approach may be taken up for fruitful implementation.
  3. The respective AD of ARD ( BL) at Block Level and DD of ARD at District level shall apprise to the concerned MGNREGA authority for allotment of required fund and monitor the total execution of  programs.
  4. The concerned ARDA / Sr. ARDA / ARDEO of ARDD will be declared as Implementing Officer for execution of the schematic works for both fodder cultivation and animal shelter construction activities. The concerned Agri. Disciplined Officer  shall impart technical guidelines in their respective discipline.
  5. The available Khas / Panchayet or Individual farmers land may be utilized for developing the Grass land or Silvi pasture development and raising nursery cum multiplication centre for fodder grass & Tuber crop.
  6. In way to implement  the enlisted fodder/ tuber crop/ Azolla cultivation programme  , convergence will be extended through supply of  planting materials fro m the departmental farm.
  7.  The Dy. Director (District level) / Assistant Director of ARDD (BL)/ Veterinary officers / Agri- Disciplined officers have to maintain coordination with PRI bodies and RD department in the way to successful implementation of the programme.
  8.  The project activities in the commanding zones/areas under the jurisdiction of  TTAADC  shall be implemented by the concerned official / staff of TTAADC and RD Department respectively.
  9.  The project proposals should be implemented as per the MGNREGA guidelines. As such, the Dy. Director of ARDD (District level)/Asst. Director (BL) / Agri. Disciplined Officer/ Veterinary officer shall keep close contact with the Block and District level administration to facilitate the implementation works.
  10.  If required the local implementing authority may implement any additional project after getting administritive approval from the concerned District programme co-ordinator.  However, they may also include/exclude any targeted activities as per feasibiity based upon the local condition. In that case, implementing aurhority should submit a justification report to the appropriate higher authority  against  addition/ deletion of the projects (if any).
  11.  The local implementing authority may also include / exculde any input materials or work activities maintaining the  MGNREGS guideline. However, in that case also they have to get administritive approval from concerned MGNREGA programme co ordinator and intimate the same to the departmental higher authority.

For more specification on schematic pattern or any other related queries, please contact with your nearest office of the District level Dy. Directors of Animal Resources Development/ Assistant Director of Animal Resources Development (Block level).

 

ACTION PLAN  FOR  GRASS LAND DEVELOPMENT, AZOLLA CULTIVATION & OTHER FODDER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES OF ANIMAL RESOURCES DEV. DEPARTMENT UNDER MGNREGA FOR THE YEAR 2018-19

Sl. Name of the District PARTICULARS DISTRICT TOTAL
Silvi pasture & Grass land Development in 0.4 Ha                                @ 0.5454 Lakh per unit   Grass land dev. in 0.08 ha. of  farmers land                               ( Combo Napier/ Guinea)   @ Rs. 0.1642 lakh per unit Grass land dev. in 0.04 ha of farmers land ( Combo Napier/ Guinea).                           @ Rs. 0.09345 lakh per unit Plantation of Tapioca tuber crop  in 0.08 Ha. of farmer’s land         @Rs. 0.15955 lakh per unit Raising of nursery cum  Multiplication centre of Combo Napier/ Guinea in 0.16 ha.                                 @ Rs. 0.28985 lakh per unit Raising of nursery cum  Multiplication centre of Tapioca in 0.16 ha.      @ Rs. 0.2994 lakh per unit Cultivation of Azolla as Animal Feed supplement in    4 m2 tank @ Rs. 0.03835 lakh per unit No. of  Units (In Nos.) Total fund involvement (Rs. in Lakh)
Target unit (In Nos.) Financial Target (`in Lakh ) Target unit (In Nos.) Financial Target (`in Lakh ) Target unit (In Nos.) Financial Target ( ` in Lakh ) Target unit (In Nos.) Financial Target (`. in Lakh ) Target unit (In Nos.) Financial Target (`. in Lakh ) Target unit (In Nos.) Financial Target (`. In Lakh ) Target unit (In Nos.) Financial Target (`. in Lakh )
1 West 1 0.5454 90 14.778 270 25.2315 130 20.7415 1 0.28985 1 0.2994 50 1.9175 543 63.8032
2 Sipahijala - - - - 280 26.166 100 15.955 - - - - - - 380 42.121
3 Khowai - - 60 9.852 120 11.214 207 33.02685 - - - - 75 2.87625 462 56.9691
4 Gomati - - 150 24.63 220 20.559 285 45.47175 - - - - 185 7.09475 840 97.7555
5 South 1 0.5454 90 14.778 350 32.7075 170 27.1235 1 0.28985 1 0.2994 165 6.32775 778 82.0714
6 North 1 0.5454 90 14.778 210 19.6245 170 27.1235 1 0.28985 1 0.2994 40 1.534 513 64.19465
7 Unakoti 1 0.5454 - - 85 7.94325 80 12.764 1 0.28985 1 0.2994 80 3.068 248 24.9099
8 Dhalai - - - - 155 14.48475 235 37.49425 - - - - 10 0.3835 400 52.3625
STATE TOTAL 4 2.1816 480 78.816 1690 157.9305 1377 219.7004 4 1.1594 4 1.1976 605 23.20175 4164 484.1872

                                                               

N.B: As per the availability of beneficiary/ land, the Local Implemneting authority may increase the nos. of targeted Units.