| ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar organized a collaborative Training Programme (5 days training) for Sub Divisional Veterinary Officers on ‘Fodder Promotion and Conservation Technology for Improving Livestock Productivity through Inclusive Approaches’ during 18-22 August 2025 in association with Veterinary Officer's training Institute (VOTI), Fishery and Animal Resources Development Department (FARD), Bhubaneswar, Government of Odisha. The state witness a short fall of 39.6% for green fodder and 46.5% for dry fodder and only 4.26% of total cultivated land is being used for fodder production. Efforts are being made for revolutionary changes in fodder cultivation through Mukhya Mantri Kamdhenu Yojana by ICAR-CIWA in collaboration with VOTI, FARD, Govt. of Odisha for empowering women in livestock sector for fodder promotion. The training programme was organised with the objective to update the knowledge of field functionaries especially senior veterinary officers on fodder cultivation and conservation of green fodder following scientific methodologies and to disseminate the technical knowhow to empower the women farmers having a predominant role in dairy farming. Dr. Mridula Devi, Director, ICAR-CIWA advised the trainees participants to build a fodder task force with the support of Prani Mitra/Pashu Sakhis, and youth core groups in a clustered approach through SHGs for effective dissemination of technologies. The development of gochar land for suitable fodder cultivation can be emphasized through gender sensitization in SHGs/FPOs at panchayat level with the help of field functionaries in livestock sector through convergence mode. The need based technologies, vertical expansion of fodder through hydroponics, fodder plantation on bunds, terraces and Gochar land should also be propagated in field level as suggested by the Director, ICRA-CIWA. Dr Rajeev Sharma, Dy. Director, VOTI appreciated the activities of ICAR-CIWA in promoting fodder cultivation and conservation through inclusive approaches and highlighted the purpose of the training for building a resource pool and bringing self sufficiency of quality fodder in Odisha. |
| The training pogrammes covered various aspects viz. mainstreaming gender equity for enhanced livestock productivity, feed and fodder production through seasonal and perennial fodder cultivation practices in different agro-climatic zones of Odisha, effective management of fodder during the scarcity period through post-harvest management of green biomass. Demonstration and hands on training on agronomic package of practices on seasonal and perennial fodder cultivation for green fodder production and utilization through various models, plantation of perennial fodder, tree fodder in Silvi-Horti Pastoral Livestock system, hay and silage making, azolla cultivation, preparation of feed block, baling, total mixed ration and pelleted complete feed, hydroponic technique, fodder plant protection, silvi-pasture and agroforestry, entrepreneurship in fodder development were emphasized for knowledge update and building self confidence of field functionaries to work for improving animal health and productivity in fodder based ecosystem. The issues and approaches in fodder development highlighting the Govt. schemes and programme implemented at state and national level were detailed during the training programme. A total of 33 SDVO participated in the training pogramme. The joint Director, VOTI graced the training programmes and encouraged the participants to strengthen linkage with ICAR-CIWA for the benefit of stakeholders and women farmers working in animal husbandry sector. The training programmes were coordinated by Dr Biswanath Sahoo, and Dr Debendra Nath Sarangi, ICAR-CIWA. During the training programme, trainees were also facilitated for exposure visit to model dairy unit in Integrated farming system under MKUY Yojana for awareness development and technology demonstration in successful fodder and dairy farming. |
