Fodder cultivation to give boost for rural dairying

Nellore: To give boost for dairy sector in the district, especially in rural areas, the Veterinary department is planning to cultivate fodder in 4,500 acres. The fodder will be made available even during drought conditions.

• Veterinary dept is planning to raise fodder in 4,700 acres across the district
• Women SHGs are being preferred for taking up fodder crops under ‘Oorura Pasugrasa Kshetralu’

In fact, fodder has been found to be a major obstacle for farmers in many areas to set up dairy units as a substitute, who failed to cultivate regular crops due to scanty rainfall. In fact, the dairying has been a boon for farmers particularly for the small farmers, landless labourers and women.

It provides a year-round source of income for those, who rely on seasonal crops. Data says lakhs of milk producers from rural pockets dominate country's dairy industry, contributing around 62 per cent of total milk produced in the country. In Nellore, around 65 per cent of women in rural segments are lacking livelihood in dairy sector due to shortage of fodder.

Now, officials of the DWMA, Veterinary, and Rural Development departments are joining hands for increasing the availability of fodder in rural areas to give a boost for the dairy development. Women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) would be preferred for taking up these fodder crops under ‘Oorura Pasugrasa Kshetralu’ for increasing local availability. The officials have taken initiative to raise fodder in 2,500 acres across the district.

Already, fodder cultivation began in 900 acres in the places like Kavali, Jaladanki, AS Pet, Atmakur, BR Palem, Allur, Dagadarthi, Manubole, Nellore rural, Muthukur, Naidupet, Pellakur, Balayapalli, Dakkili, Rapur, Venkatagiri, Ozili, Podalakur, Chejarla, Kaluvoyi, and Anantasagaram mandals.

“Preference would be given to women SHGs and there would be tremendous income through the activity in rural areas where successful entrepreneurs will get a minimum of Rs 1 lakh per acre by selling the fodder even at Re 1 per kg. The state government is also providing financial support through the NREGS and other schemes to the women for taking up fodder cultivation,” said Programme Nodal Officer Dr V Prabhakar Gupta.

The official said a target has been fixed to raise fodder in 5 acres of dry land under the limits of each gram panchayat across the district which would be around 4,700 acres. “Now, lease amount per acre in the district is ranging between Rs 15,000 and 40,000. It is Rs 20,000 in Rapur mandal,” according to the Nodal Officer.

Works will also be attached to NREGS workers and Rs 35,000 would be allocated per acre/per annum for preparing ground, weeding, watering, purchase of saplings and fertilisers, transport, and others. Fodder saplings are being sold from nurseries in Krishna district.

There will be no involvement of NREGS staff members in the programme and will be taken up by the Veterinary department with the support of DWMA, Revenue, and Rural Development departments.

By P V Prasad