Samba, Oct 03: The Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), Regional Research Station Srinagar, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Samba, held a one-day awareness and training program focused on “Recent Fodder Technologies for Sustainable Livestock Productivity.” The event, organized under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan of IGFRI Jhansi, saw the participation of 75 local Scheduled Caste farmers, primarily women.
Dr. Sanjay Khajuria, Chief Scientist & Head of KVK Samba, welcomed the participants and emphasized the importance of such initiatives. Dr. Sheeraz Saleem Bhat, Senior Scientist and In-charge of ICAR-IGFRI Regional Station Srinagar, discussed the significance of new forage technologies and health supplements in improving livestock productivity sustainably, underscoring the socio-economic benefits to farmers.
The program featured insights from Dr. Suheel Ahmad, Senior Scientist at IGFRI RRS Srinagar, who spoke on feeding nutritious fodder, production technologies for major forage crops, and post-harvest methods like hay and silage making. Dr. Sanjay Khajuria highlighted the role of fodder trees in Jammu’s livestock production system, and the government’s various schemes supporting local forage crops.
Dr. Sudesh Radotra, Principal Scientist and Incharge of IGFRI Palampur Centre, chaired the event and provided an overview of recent forage technologies, including the package of practices for crops like BN Hybrid, Paspalum, and Setaria, vital for sustainable livestock production.
The event concluded with the distribution of 200,000 rooted slips of various forage crops and 50 kg of rye grass seed to the farmers. The initiative was well-received, with participants expressing appreciation for IGFRI’s efforts to enhance sustainable livestock farming in the region.
