AICRP on Forage Crops & Utilization

Year of Establishment: 2004

About the Scheme

1. Development of high yielding fodder varieties/hybrids with desired quality parameters (Mandate crops: Maize and cowpea) for irrigated and rainfed situation.
2. Evaluation of varieties of different forage crops suitable for different agro climatic situation (B x N Hybrid, Guinea grass, Anjan grass, Denanath grass, Fodder Pearl millet, Maize, Oats, Cowpea, Lucerne and Hedge lucerne)
3. Development of forage production technologies for higher yield and quality
4. Seed production and multiplication of fodder seeds through farmer’s participatory programmes.
5. Educating farmers and extension personnel through training programmes, Front line demonstrations and field days.
6. Distribution and multiplication of improved varieties of perennial forages through root slips and cuttings.
7. Training on forage conservation, storage and utilization, enrichment of dry fodder and utilization of unconventional fodder during lean season.
8. Development of production technologies for top feeds.

The emphasis for Animal husbandry dairying activities was hastened due to severe drought in 1966-67 which led to more focused research on livestock rearing as an alternate source of income for the farmers under drought situations.

High yielding improved breeds of Cow and Buffaloes were introduced to support Animal husbandry with improve fodder genotypes and production technologies.

Many demonstrations on improved varieties and production technologies for different fodder crops were conducted in both farmers’ fields and research stations of the University.

Facilities and Conservation of Germplasm

Crop Production Technologies

• Intensive forage production through Silvi-pasture system under rainfed ecostsyem
• Enhancing green forage yield of fodder sorghum in saline alkali soil
• Fodder production in rice fallows under limited moisture situation
• Lean season fodder production under limited irrigation
• Standardization of planting geometry and nutrient levels for Bajra Napier Hybrid variety BNH-10
• Standardization of planting geometry and nutrient levels for guinea grass variety JHGG-08-1
• Year around green fodder production module for irrigated condition
• Agro techniques for Congo Signal grass (Brachiariaruziensis) variety DBRS-1
• Agase (Sesbaniagrandiflora) based cropping system under protective irrigation
• Production of fodder Maize and Cowpea through hydroponics
• Performance of top feeds under varied planting geometry with and without intercrop
• Enhancing the production potential of various forage crops in coconut gardens through nutrient management
• Hedge lucerne intercropping with BxN hybrid

Other Activities

Large coverage of newly released varieties and production technologies has been achieved through large scale demonstrations under TSP, SCSP and FTD programmes of AICRP and Adhoc projects sanctioned by the Government of Karnataka.

Distribution of seeds and planting material for multiplication was taken up in multiplication and forage demonstration garden established.

It was visited by large number of farmers, animal husbandry department personnel and entrepreneurs.

AICRP Mandya center was recognized at national level for best maintained forage garden among the regular and voluntary centers across India.

Ruling Varieties/Hybrids

• MFC 08-14
• MFC 09-1
• MFC 09-3

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