Large-scale production
In order to provide a boost to the farmers having small land holdings, the government is trying to introduce new technology.
To achieve these objectives, several activities will be undertaken including establishing demonstration units for large-scale production, introducing new technologies such as hydroponics and vertical farming, promoting commercial cultivation, strengthening existing processing units, capacity building through training programs, and introducing marketing initiatives. By implementing these activities, the short-term objective of mitigating the persistent problem of fodder unavailability can be achieved, leading to increased availability of fodder and feed in J&K.
Over a period of time, SKUAST-Kashmir and SKUAST-Jammu, along with ICAR-IGFRI, have developed various fodder varieties for different crops such as maize, oats, bajra, sorghum, grasses, and legumes like cowpea and alfalfa. More than 12 varieties have been collectively released for these crops.
The seed quantity for most of these varieties is insufficient and not available to farmers as per their requirement. Cultivation of non-descript fodder varieties has led to diminishing yields and production. Therefore, an immediate intervention is necessary, which involves multiplying the varietal seeds for one cycle in dedicated seed production plots of farms and farmer’s fields. To initiate large-scale fodder production, 1000 tons of oats and 2500 tons of maize seed are required to cover an average of 30% of the area under quality seed.
