Azolla – A potential feed for livestock and fish - GADVASU SCIENTISTS

Green forage is an essential component of feed for economic milk production. Availability of green fodder is however declining due to increasing pressure on land for production of food grains, which has lead to increased dependency of dairy farmers on costly concentrate feeds for higher milk yields. Hence there is need to identify some cost effective non-conventional alternates capable of mitigating pressure on land for fodder production. Aquatic plants hold great potential as they grow very fast (due to very short life cycle) compared to terrestrial plants and yields higher biomass per unit area. Among the aquatic plants, aquatic fern "Azolla" hold great scope for utilization in livestock feeding due to its very high nutritive value and exceptionally fast growth, said Dr Kamaldeep Kaur, Dean, College of Fisheries, GADVASU.

In view of this, Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, GADVASU, Ludhiana organized one day training programme on "Azolla cultivation for livestock feed" on 20.09.2010. About 70 officers of State Animal Husbandry department (Fodder section) from all over the Punjab participated in the training programme. Dr. K.S. Sandhu, Director Extension, GADVASU, was the chief guest. He stressed upon the use of non-conventional resources to supplement the livestock feed.

Dr. Asha Dhawan, Sr. Scientist-cum-Head, Deptt. of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, GADVASU, was the technical co-ordinator of the training programme. She delivered a talk on culture and uses of Azolla. Dr Dhawan told the participants that it costs Rs 0.20 to culture one Kg Azolla. She further told that Azolla can be used as biofertilizer, feed and fodder, biological control agent to check weed propagation and check the growth of mosquitoes also.

Dr. M.P.S. Bakshi, Prof & Head, Department of Animal Nutrition, GADVASU, delivered lecture on utilization of Azolla as livestock feed. He explained nutritional value of Azolla. Being rich in proteins (13-30%), essential amino acids (lysine and methionine), vitamins, growth promoters and minerals and low in lignin content, it is a good feed supplement for livestock.

Dr Vaneet Inder Kaur, Assistant Scientist (Fisheries) demonstrated the technology for Azolla culture. Dr Baldev Singh, Joint Director (Feed & Fodder), Department of Animal husbandry, Punjab informed the participants that Govt of India is also anxious for the propagation of Azolla as livestock feed






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