Proceedings of NIFTD

Proceedings of Training-cum-Workshop on NIFTD held at ZPD-II, Kolkata on 7.3.2014

 

A training-cum-workshop programme on NIFTD was held at ZPD-II, Kolkata on 7.3.2014 to review the achievements of participating/identified KVKs in demonstrating fodder production technology as well as action plan for the year 2014-15. After a brief welcome, the purpose of the programme as well as importance of holding such workshop was narrated. The dignitaries namely, Director of Extension Education of BAU, Ranchi and BAU, Sabour, Bhagalpur also appreciated the efforts of the Zonal Project Directorate towards monitoring the progress of this flagship programme.

In presenting the achievements, the KVKs informed that so far IGFRI, Jhansi could make fodder seed/slit available to 5 KVKs of this zone. All the 5 KVKs conducted demonstration with mainly oat and barseem fodder crop (kent and vardhan variety, respectively) with the involvement of more than 25 farmers to cover an area of 1.5 ha. During discussion on the possibility of taking up large scale demonstration with fodder seed/planting materials, the KVKs in general pointed out that the farmers were not very eager to allow their cultivable lands for fodder production. KVK like Nadia of West Bengal informed the house that cropping intensity being quite high in the district, it was difficult for the farmers to accommodate any fodder crop in the existing cropping sequence. Requirement of water for production of fodder was also considered one of the major reasons behind non-adoption of fodder production technology by the farmers.

The next session started with the presentation of action plan by the KVKs. The house suggested a number of changes in the action plan for its improvement as well as greater suitability in respect of fodder production in this zone. The KVKs, however, advised to implement the fodder demonstration programme as per action plan developed in three modules i.e. module I, module II and module III. They were also advised to increase the number of farmers in the demonstration programme to reach the target area of 0.2 ha. In respect of non-availability of land for fodder demonstration, the KVKs were suggested to go for non-conventional areas like embankment of crop field, pond, fallow land etc.

Detailed analysis of the proposed action plan led to the following observations:

• All the KVKs should assess the present level of fodder availability and requirement of fodder in consultation with district line department.
• Secondary data on livestock population should be the base for preparation of action plan.
• New areas to be identified where farmers are having milling facility of fodder.
• Fodder seed production programme should follow the existing protocol of seed production.
• Large scale awareness should be created among the farmers on the advantage of use of green fodder in milk production as well as health management among livestock. The KVKs should develop suitable literature for this purpose.
• In the proposed action plan, name of the variety must be mentioned.
• All the KVKs should mention the name of PI and Co-PI for conducting fodder demonstration programme. The Subject Matter Specialist already trained under NIFTD must attend all workshop, meeting and other programmes.
• In the action plan technical parameters/input details need to be provided.
• Most of the KVKs concentrated fodder production programme during rabi season only; suitable fodder varieties for kharif season also should be tried to obtain from fodder institutes.
• The action plan should be revised and prepared as per technology module already identified.
• The KVKs should try to bring maximum area under fodder production where programmes like AICRP, BGRI, NWDPRA, NICRA etc. are in operation.
• Coix, the long duration fodder crop should be extensively taken up for saline area.
• Provision for seed bin for storing of fodder seed and providing additional manpower may be thought while implementing NIFTD.
• Before recommending urea treated fodder, assessment should be made to identify the suitability of 2% or 4% in respect of milk production.
• Demonstration on fodder should be carried out from the existing fund of KVKs, if additional fund is not received.
• Expenditure for POL in monitoring fodder demonstration activity in the farmers’ field may be met out from contingency of KVK.
• All the KVKs must record district-wise data on fodder crop.
• Low toxin content variety of lathyrus (kheshari) may be encouraged in Jharkhand.
• All the KVKs should prepare their action plan for round the year fodder production with special reference to scarcity/lean period i.e. May-June and October-November.
• Establishment of fodder bank should be given priority.
• Area specific mineral mixture preparation should be encouraged.
• The KVKs should try to promote mixed farming of fodder cultivation incorporating legume and non-legume in their plan of action.

A special presentation was made by Dr. T.K. Datta, Head, ERS NDRI, Kalyani on the various activities taken up by this centre in augmenting fodder production in this zone. During his deliberation he emphasized on studying yield of milk as the aftermath of feeding of green fodder to milch animals. He also advocated for seed production at the KVK farm itself from where required seed could be provided to the farmers. He requested the KVKs to allot a piece of land in the KVK farm for this purpose which will also encourage the farmers in seed production. He also offered to provide technical expertise to the KVKs in taking up fodder seed production as well as demonstration programme by making seeds available to the KVKs of a few identified fodder crops. Regarding fulfillment of total requirement of seed, he urged the KVKs to take up the matter with IGFRI, Jhansi through Zonal Project Directorate, Zone-II for supply of seed for the year 2014-15.

The list of participating KVKs.

• KVK Nadia, W.B.
• KVK Jalpaiguri, W.B.
• KVK South 24 Parganas, W.B.
• KVK Burdwan, W.B.
• KVK Chatra, Jharkhand
• KVK Gumla, Jharkhand
• KVK Godda, Jharkhand
• KVK Dumka, Jharkhand
• KVK Buxar, Bihar
• KVK Bhojpur, Bihar
• KVK Jamui, Bihar
• KVK Sheikhpura, Bihar
• KVK Jehanabad, Bihar

Meeting of NIFTD at ZPD, Zone-II at Kolkata on 21.4.2015

A meeting of NIFTD was organized at ZPD, Zone-II, Kolkata which was participated by the Zonal Project Director, Zone-II, Director, IGFRI, Jhansi, Scientists of Zonal Project Directorate and KVK personnel from Nadia and Burdwan of West Bengal. Director, IGFRI informed that his institute produced 19500 rooted slips during last year. The following points came up for discussion in the meeting.

• The KVKs under NIFTD were provided seeds by IGFRI last year but some of the KVKs reported that seeds were not received by them. Moreover, a few KVKs also reported that the provided seeds did not germinate at all and in some cases the percentage of seed germination was quite low. Detailed information about non-receipt of seeds as well as non-germination of seeds may be collected and send to IGFRI for corrective measures.
• As per approved technical programme/action plan, some activities under Module – III of NIFTD component has to be undertaken by the KVKs this year.
• It was reiterated that KVKs should produce fodder seed in the KVK farm for its use in the next year as IGFRI will not supply seeds for further demonstration.
• During Annual Zonal Workshop for KVKs of Zone-II, the Director of IGFRI may be invited to interact with KVKs under NIFTD regarding the progress of this project.
• It was suggested that review meeting of NIFTD may be organized from time to time involving two zones at a time and in the sequence of Zone-II & III; Zone- V & VIII; Zone-IV & VII and Zone – I & VI. However, prior approval from DDG (AE) to be taken in this regard.

The meeting ended with vote of thanks.