Srinagar, Mar 05: In a first of its kind initiative a state of art commercial silage bailing production facility has come up at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ganderbal in public private partnership mode.
A joint initiative of Khyber Greens Private Limited and SKUAST-Kashmir is aimed at improving the availability of nutritious fodder alternative to livestock and thereby increase production and productivity. The facility was inaugurated by Parshottam Rupala, Minister of Animal Husbandry, dairying and fisheries and Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha during 9th technology exhibition and seed sale mela at SKUAST-K in presence of galaxy of high-profile dignitaries and officers from ministry, state administration and academics.
The silage production facility at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ganderbal has come up at the cost of approximately Rs. 5.00 crores and is equipped with imported machinery based on Italian and French technology that would help livestock rearers conserve the fodders during summer for feeding their livestock in winter, when fodders are scarce, said, Iqbal Mirza CEO of Khyber Greens. He further elaborated that the plant is first of its kind in north India and has a capacity to produce 50 Quintals/hour of quality silage. SKUAST-K and Khyber Greens have entered into a MoU to collaborate in fields of fodder seed multiplication, silage and total mixed ration production etc. as a part of endeavor of SKUAST-K to bring in industry into academics and infuse technology into agriculture and allied sectors.