Feeding of UMMB Licks to Dairy Animals: A Farmers’ Reactive Study

Livestock sector has significant contribution in GDP of India. India ranks first in milk production but this is attributed to large livestock population and not to the productivity. However, the average livestock productivity in India is quite low due to low genetic potential, poor nutrition and poor management of animals. Poor nutrition is due to unavailability of green fodder throughout the year. In order to provide the balanced nutrition to the dairy animals, urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) lick technology can play a major role but the adoption of this technology is low. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra made an attempt to popularize this technology amongst dairy farmers of district Kapurthala. Farmers were provided with UMMB licks and were asked to observe the effect of its feeding on the dry matter intake, water consumption, milk production and overall health status of their animals. After three months of UMMB feeding, a study was carried out to know the reactions of the farmers. Results of the study showed that with the use of UMMB licks, milk yield and fat percentage increased in 44.0 and 11.5 per cent cases, respectively. Similarly, farmers observed improvement in the dry matter intake (73.1%) and water intake (46.5%). More than eighty per cent of the dairy farmers were satisfied with this technology. The results of the technology were almost immediate and observable. It was concluded that farmers are ready to adopt this technology but availability of UMMB licks, as and when required, due to limited production is hindrance in its adoption. It was suggested that farmers should be trained in the preparation of UMMB licks for enhancing the adoption of this technology.