ICAR-KVK North Goa Hosted Training on Feed and Fodder Management of dairy animals for Rural Youth

 

ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, North Goa, ICAR-CCARI, Goa, organized a training session on "Feed and Fodder Management of Dairy Animals" for rural youth on March 20^th, 2025. The event aimed to educate rural youth about the benefits of sustainable feed and fodder management for dairy animals. Dr. N. Bommayasamy, Senior Scientist and Head of ICAR-KVK, North Goa, welcomed the participants. He encouraged the youth to explore opportunities in fodder entrepreneurship by cultivating high-yield perennial hybrid Napier fodder varieties, such as CO-5 and Super Napier, on a large scale. He highlighted the potential market among the Goan dairy farming community, which may not have access to land but requires a steady supply of quality fodder for their livestock. He enlightened the necessity of integrating advanced agronomic practices to optimize fodder cultivation and sustainability.

Dr. Udharwar S.V., Subject Matter Specialist (Animal Science), delivered a detailed presentation on the nutritional value of green fodder, dry fodder, and concentrate feed for dairy animals. He emphasized their roles in promoting growth, milk production, and overall health. Dr. Udharwar highlighted the importance of a balanced diet to ensure productivity and well-being. He also conducted a practical demonstration on enriching dry fodder with urea to improve protein content. Additionally, he showed how to prepare silage, a fermented feed for off-season use, and demonstrated Azolla preparation as a supplementary feed. Mr. Rahul Kumar, Subject Matter Specialist (Agronomy), shared valuable insights into the overall importance of fodder crops and their role in maintaining soil health and improving agricultural sustainability.

A total of 52 youths, including 17 males and 35 females, participated in the training program. Dr. Udharwar S.V., Dr. N. Bommayasamy, Mr. Rahul Kumar, and Mr. Vishwajeet Prajapati coordinated the event.