Introduction of suitable techniques for fodder conservation and development of innovative models

Development of Ensiling Technologies

Silage (conserved green fodder) is an economical alternative for the supply of forages to dairy cattle during lean season.

A. Structural models for silage making:

NDDB has developed different methods for silage making (ensiling) through the usage of surface silo bunkers with capacity ranging from 3 to 500 metric tonnes.

A DCS based low cost commercial silage making model was developed in Mujukua village (Anand, Gujarat) and Katewadi village (Baramati, Maharashtra).

A large scale commercial silage making model was propagated in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh for demonstration purpose.

B. Suitable forage crops for ensiling:

Large scale demonstrations involving forage crops such as maize, sorghum and oats have helped farmers in early adoption of this technology in many states such as Punjab, UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, A.P, Jharkhand etc.

NDDB continues its research on identification of suitable varieties of fodder crops for obtaining high silage yields with optimum quality for the benefit of dairy farmers.