Empowering Small Farmers with the 10- Cent Multi-cut Fodder Model

The profitability of ruminant production hinges on the reliable availability of top-quality fodder. Nevertheless, a concerning issue is emerging: a substantial gap between the supply and demand of fodder. This imbalance predominantly affects small and marginal dairy farmers, who possess limited land. These farmers prioritize cash crop cultivation on their available land while dedicating only minimal space to fodder production. The rising cost of external feed supplements further intensifies the burden, affecting both milk yield and animal health. Inadequate fodder leads to nutritional deficiencies, reduced reproductive efficiency and increased susceptibility to diseases. Ensuring year-round access to diverse, nutrient-rich green fodder is, therefore, essential for improving livestock productivity and farmer income. Integrated fodder production models that maximize yield even in limited spaces can serve as a sustainable solution. Empowering farmers with low-cost, space-efficient techniques for cultivating multiple fodder types can significantly bridge the gap and support resilient dairy farming systems.

In this regard, to address the prevailing fodder scarcity challenge, Bhagavatula Charitable Trust-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (BCT-KVK), Anakapalli, has been actively demonstrating a multi-cut fodder production model in a compact area of 10 cents. This model is specifically designed to enable small to medium-scale dairy farmers to access a consistent and diverse supply of green fodder throughout the year in its operational villages across the Anakapalli district. The demonstration plot incorporates a strategic mix of high-biomass-yielding grasses like Super Napier, cereal fodders (such as fodder maize and sorghum) and leguminous fodders (like cowpea and hedge lucerne) thereby ensuring a balanced nutritional profile for ruminants. In addition, tree fodders such as Subabul, Sesbania, Moringa and Glyricidia are planted around the boundaries to serve as a perennial source of green fodder and to provide essential vitamins and minerals. This integrated approach contrasts with the conventional practice of feeding carbohydratedominant grasses alone, which often leads to poor nutrient balance, reduced milk productivity and subclinical deficiencies. The model is designed for continuous harvesting and re-growth, ensuring sustainable fodder availability and minimizing the dependency on purchased feed resources.

With the multi-cut fodder production model, farmers obtained average milk yields of 2,500-3,000 litres per lactation in crossbred HF cows. The average milk fat and SNF content were consistently above 4% and 8%, respectively. This improvement is attributed to the year-round availability of nutritious green fodder, which enhanced rumen function, digestion and overall animal health. The inclusion of leguminous and tree fodders helped bridge nutrient gaps, leading to better metabolic efficiency and sustained lactation performance. Farmers also reported reduced dependency on commercial feed and improved profitability per animal due to better feed conversion efficiency and reduced health-related issues.