Call to reduce animal feed cost

​Tirupati: Speakers at the X Biennial Conference of Animal Nutrition Association (ANA)-2016 stressed on the need to bring down the feed cost and also taking the fruits of the research in animal feed and fodder to farmers to reap the benefits, here on Wednesday. The three-day ANA national conference took off on an impressive note at College of Veterinary Science here on Wednesday.

Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) Vice-Chancellor and Special Chief Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries, Dr Manmohan Singh said that the animal feed cost which is about 65 per cent coming in the way of farmers getting fully the benefit of their produce like milk.

Despite the phenomenal results in the research finding alternate sources of feed, it has not reached the farmers, he said seeking the scientists and the Animal Husbandry department work in tandem to take the benefits of the research to the farmers for reducing the feed cost.

This will be more useful in states like Andhra Pradesh including the drought prone Rayalaseema region with less irrigation facility and where many of the districts are leading in milk production which became alternate source of livelihood for the small and marginal farmers and agricultural labourers.

Promoting alternate source of fodder like red gram which could be grinded and mixed with bran, Subabul etc. will help overcome fodder shortage, he said while emphasising on popularising mineral mixtures, engines and other nutritious feed to enhance animal productivity to help farmers get more revenue.

ANA national president AK Varma said animal nutrition has assumed importance in the context of declining fodder sources as agriculture land shrinking due to various factors.

On the occasion, an NRI and alumni of Tirupati Veterinary College donated Rs 1.1 lakh to institute. ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ in the name of Professor Anjaneya Prasad was conferred to Dr Pradhan from Odisha for his meritorious contribution in the field of animal nutrition.

ANA general secretary Narayan Dutta, SVVU Veterinary Science Dean TS Chandrasekhara Rao, conference organising secretary JV Ramana and others were also present.