Karnataka State government-CGIAR livestock technologies initiative benefits farmers

Under the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)-led Government of Karnataka-CGIAR initiative that aims at demonstrating proven livestock technologies for scaling, a series of livestock-based activities were carried out in selected (4-5) villages of four Bhoosamrudhi districts (Bidar, Udupi, Dharward, Chikballapur) of Karnataka (total 16 villages).

Under this collaborative project, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is implementing various activities including feed balancing and the institute has developed an ‘on-farm advisory tool’ that is currently undergoing field testing using the feed database developed for the three districts of Bidar, Chaikballapur and Dharward.

Distribution of fodder seeds of improved varieties to farmers (photo credit: ILRI).

The project focuses on the promotion of dual-purpose crops with superior fodder quality NK6240 dual-purpose maize hybrid seeds have been supplied to 93 farmers in three selected districts to cover 47 acres in the Kharif season (Kharif crops are the crops which are sown at the beginning of the rainy season). It also supports to promote of forage cultivation where seeds of the promising fodder crop variety COFS29 have been supplied to 58 farmers in three selected districts to cover 29 acres in the Kharif season. In addition, the project helps farmers produce silage bails in the fodder processing unit in Neelavaram Goshala where enriched silage will be produced using mission grass and legume (groundnut, green gram, mung bean) haulms in the proportion of 65:35 by using the mini baler cum wrapper installed last year. A private feed producer/entrepreneur was also identified to produce enriched silage as a commercial product and supply to dairy farmers in the project district during lean season.