CUTTACK: The Frozen Semen Bank (FSB) here, rated among top such facilities in the country, has moved a step ahead by inducting a state-of-the-art automatic hydroponic fodder unit that grows green feed without using soil.
The Grade-A rank FSB has introduced the technology for the first time in Odisha on a pilot basis with the aim of demonstrating feasible solutions for tackling shortage of quality fodder and concentrates that is beginning to manifest even in rural areas.
Production of hydroponic fodder is the most advanced technology in fodder production in the world that involves growing green fodder from grains of cereals and legumes without soil. Usually maize, oats and barley seeds are used for the purpose where they are allowed to sprout and grow shoots over a period of five to eight days. The growth is done under controlled environment combining moisture, humidity and temperature.
“The green fodder grown using hydroponic technology is lush and palatable, free of harmful organisms, contamination and chemicals with very high nutritional value. At a time when production of green fodder is going down due to shrinking arable land even in rural areas, this technology can prove to be a viable alternative,” Secretary, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Bishnupada Sethi said. The technology enables production of five kg green feed from one kg seeds. There is no need of inputs like manure, fertilizer and pesticides and only two litres of water is required for production of one kg fodder. Due to the high nutrient content of this fodder, maximum milk production potentiality of the milch animals can be raised by 20 per cent and more.
The new technology will significantly boost quality feed availability for the FSB which presently has 93 bulls ranging from Jerseys, Hariana, Red Sindhi to the recently included indigenous Binjharpuri breeds. Accorded Grade A status by the Union Ministry of Agriculture, the bank produces around nine lakh doses of semen per year.
“Not only will this unit cater to the Bank but also used for the demonstration purpose to encourage other prospective entrepreneurs to set up such units in future,” Joint Director, FSB Dr RC Behera said.