Bhubaneswar: Keeping in view the importance of nutritional management in livestock farming, HARD Department, Government of Odisha in collaboration with International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi hands together to improve the livestock productivity through balanced feeding. A one day workshop was organized on 20th June, 2017 at Hotel Presidency to launch the State Plan scheme “Feed and fodder production in different Agro-climatic zones and its Utilisation for Livestock of Odisha”.
Dr. Damodar Rout, Hon’ble Minister, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development and Public Enterprises, Shri Vishal Cagan, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, F&ARD; Shri Pratap Chandra Dash, Director, AH&VS; Dr. Jimmy Smith, Director General, ILRI; Dr. H. Rahman, Representative, ILRI for South Asia; Dr. Michael, ADC, ILRI were present on the occasion.
During the inaugural address, Minister said that livestock sector plays a vital role to meet the food & nutritional security, particularly in the context of global warming and climate change. He emphasized on improvement of native germ plasm, such as, Binjharpuri Cattle which has high disease resistance capacity along with better production potential in terms of draught power and milk yield. He was hopeful that the new initiative taken by the Department in collaboration with ILRI would bridge the gap between the requirement of green fodder and its availability in the State. The international expertise of ILRI will be useful in the State in increasing the fodder production through scientific approach and use of modern technology. He advised the farmers coming from across the State to take up integrated farming to derive sustained income to maintain their family. Commissioner-cum-Secretary emphasized that technology should reach to the farmers through better coordination between research institutions and field functionaries. While indicating about the Perspective Plan (2010 – 2020) of the Department, he expected that the outcome of the workshop will help the Department in implementing the roadmap laid down in the Perspective Plan in a systematic manner. He further stated that ILRI would take up a comprehensive situation analysis on feed & fodder availability in the State, agro-climatic zone wise resource mapping and nutrition analysis. Dr. Jimmy Smith, Director General, ILRI emphasized on green fodder production and balanced feeding for the livestock in the State, which will help in preventing many diseases. He also assured that the research findings of ILRI regarding use of crop residue will be brought to the State for the benefit of dairy farmers.
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