Amid worsening drought concerns, many districts have banned the sale, supply and transportation of fodder to other districts to safeguard local livestock needs
“Farmers would be trained in scientific urea treatment of dry fodder to improve its utility, while the use of chaff cutters will be promoted to minimise wastage,” he said. Experts from Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University in Nagpur and some veterinary colleges would provide technical guidance to farmers.
Training sessions would cover protection against rain and moisture, prevention of fungal growth and storage in dry locations,” Patil told TOI . Pune: The state animal husbandry department will launch a fodder literacy and conservation campaign to prevent shortages in rainfall-deficit areas hit by kharif crop losses. The state govt campaign will focus on scientific storage of crop residues, improving the nutritional value of dry fodder, silage production and alternative low-cost fodder cultivation. Livestock owners will receive practical training and guidance on using locally available resources efficiently and preventing wastage. “The department would encourage farmers to collect and safely store residues from crops such as jowar, bajra, maize, wheat, rice, tur and gram. Implementation responsibilities have been assigned at the village, taluka, district and regional levels. District officials will prepare action plans and verify progress, while regional authorities and the assistant director of animal nutrition will review implementation and issue further guidance. The department will be funding the campaign.