HYDERABAD: With farmers in Andhra Pradesh accepting Azolla as an alternative cattle feed and reaping its benefits in the wake of substantial decline in the availability of fodder, the state government has decided to promote Azolla cultivation on a larger scale in the state.
The government constituted a technical and financial bid committee on Monday for procurement of Azolla culture beds for taking up large-scale Azolla cultivation in the state.
The animal husbandry department has been popularising Azolla as a multi-animal feed for the past few years in the state and farmers have accepted it as an alternative cattle feed and are using it on a large scale.
According to officials of the animal husbandry department, Azolla has proved to be very effective in increasing milk production. “Azolla is a highly nutritive and cheap organic feed substitute for milch cattle, poultry, pig and fish. It is rich in proteins and contains other essential minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper and manganese which helps in increasing the quantity and quality of cattle and poultry products” an official said.
During a recent survey conducted by officials of the department on the outcome of the use of Azolla feed, it was found that cows and buffaloes, which consume Azolla, yielded 15 to 20 per cent more milk and the quality of milk was found to be good.
“While the demand for milk and meat is growing in the state, the substantial decline in fodder availability has become a matter of concern to the government. We are considering Azolla as an alternative cattle and poultry feed. Hence its promotion,” an official of the animal husbandry department said.
The government has already decided to allow private players to set up fodder banks in public-private partnership (PPP) in the state. With the fodder deficit being 25 to 30 per cent, the government is taking measures to increase the availability of animal feed.