Under Central Minikit Testing Programme, various kinds of fodder seeds are distributed to the farmers free of cost both during the Kharif & Rabi season for demonstration in their fields. The purpose of the scheme is mainly to encourage the farmers to produce quality green grass. The main variety of fodder seeds distributed under this scheme are  African Tall Maize, Lucerne, Bersem, Sorghum, Oats,  M.P.Chari, Red Chari, Sudan Chari, Chinese Cabbage & Congosignal.

Enrichment of straws & cellulosic waste scheme: (100% GOI)

Rs. 9.50 lakhs was sanctioned for this scheme during the year 2004-05. Since the amount was sanctioned during the fag end of the financial year, the scheme could not be implemented. Hence revalidation was obtained during 2005-06. the scheme is successfully implemented in Hassan, Gulbarga, Bidar & Raichur districts.

            The grassland development scheme is being implemented by the NGO. Whereas a proposal has been submitted to Government of India to utilize the amount of Rs. 80.00 lakhs released to Karnataka Milk Federation, Bangalore during 2006-07 since the amount was released during the financial year end. 

Salient features of the scheme:

Grassland Development and Grass Reserves Scheme:

·   The  scheme will enable improvement of degraded grassland and also the vegetation cover of problematic soils like saline, acicdic and heavy soil.

·   Specific grasses and legumes will be identified for particular type of soil so that a vegetation cover may be provided which will not only five additional quantity of fodder but will also protect the land from soil erosion.

·   The fertility status of land will also be improved by introducing suitable legumes.

·   Grasslands requiring regeneration through the process of natural recovery by closure/ exclusion of biotic interference will also be eligible for funding under this scheme.

     Fodder Seed Distribution:

·   The high yielding varieties of breeder/ certified fodder seeds suitable for the different regions of the state will be identified by the state & provided to selected breeders / farmers with assurance to buy back the fodder seeds.

·   Subsidy will be provided for procurement of fodder seeds produced by such breeders /farmers. The central Govt. will provide 75% of the subsidy and the State Govt. will provide 25% subsidy on procurement.    

·   State Govt. will decide the reasonable price for  fodder seeds for procurement and supply to the growers for producing fodder seed / fodder. The proceeds from the sale of the seeds will be used for meeting the expenditure on procurement of certified seeds, storage, package and labeling and supply to the growers.

Green grass production

    Green grass is an essential component of the dairy animal food. Feeding of green grass improves qualitative and quantitative milk production, health & productivity. Progressive dairy farmers produce the required green fodder for their animals. The following are the few fodder varieties which are suitable for Karnataka.

To propagate the perennial grasses, root slips or stem cuttings are required. These will be supplied to the farmers at nominal prices at the following departmental Livestock Farms.

PIGGERY DEVELOPMENT 

Piggery is an age old occupation of rural people in Karnataka State. It offers much scope for increasing needed rich protein food in the human diet. The principle function of pigs compared to other species of animals like Cattle, Sheep, Goat and Poultry is to convert farm products into food products.

Important Economic Factors:

a)    Prolific in nature

b)    Rapid Growth

c)    Early maturity

d)    Litter size ( Average 9-10 piglets )

e)   Efficient converters of agricultural plant & animal waste into meat. (Feed conversion     efficiency : Feed  conversion rate at the rate of  Consumption of 3.5 kg feed to 1kg lean  meat )

Advantage of Rearing:

1)    Efficient converters of agricultural & animal wastes, industrial by-products into meat.

2)    Require less Space for rearing.

3)    All parts of carcass are  useful.

4)    They don’t require large investment but they do give quick returns to investments.

     Educated unemployed graduates are coming forward to take up pig husbandry on scientific lines.Pig farming plays an important role in improving the socio-economic status of the women and weaker sections. 

    There are three pig breeding stations  one at Hessaraghatta in Bangalore District, Kudige in Kodagu District and Koila in Dakshina Kannada District.

OBJECTIVES OF PIG BREEDING STATIONS:

·    Production of pure breed piglets for distribution to farmers and beneficiaries of various socio-economic programmes.

·    Imparting training in modern pig rearing to farmers and beneficiaries of various  socio-economic programmes.

·    Preparation of project reports and extending assistapnce to get loans for setting up of the pig farms.

·     To provide extension service to farmers living around the pig breeding stations.

·    To educate people about the nutritional value of pork and arrange for the sale of good quality pork.

·     To help farmers in providing organized marketing to their products

           PROGRESS ACHIEVED UNDER THE PIG BREEDING PROGRAMME (2005 – 06)

 Piglets are supplied to farmers at the following rates.

Future plans:

1.    To create awareness among farmers and to provide insight into the problems of pig rearing.

2.    Modernization of Pig rearing industry which can generate employment to people.

Provide practice oriented knowledge and skill to the farmers.   

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT

Poultry development was carried out by the Department, through a network of 26 poultry farm at an annual outlay of Rs. 179.22 lakhs during the year 2005-06 under non-plan budget.

 The details of these institutions are as under. 

1.  State Poultry Breeding and Training Centre, Hessarghatta, Bangalore

2.  Three Regional Poultry Breeding and Training Centres at  Malavalli,  Gangavathi and Haveri

3.  Eight District Poultry Rearing and Training Centre at Gulbarga, Davanagere,  Kudige, Bidar, Bijapura, Gundlupet, Mangalore &   Kolar

4.  Fourteen Poultry Rearing Centres at Tumkur, Shimoga, Raichur, Kumta, Kundapur, Chickmagalur, Ponnampet, Hassan, Ramanagaram, T. Narasipura, Holenarasipura, Koila, Kurikuppe  and Belgaum

Poultry Development Activities include the following: 

·       Breeding and rearing of  Giriraja parent stock of birds under the scientific breeding system, franchising with the University of Agricultural Sciences, Poultry division, Bangalore.

·       Production and supply of day old “Giriraja” chicks, to the farmers and departmental rearing centres.

·       Rearing and supply of “Giriraja” birds of eight weeks to the beneficiaries under various socio-economic schemes at no loss no profit basis.

·       Imparting training in respect of modern poultry farming in both layers and broilers and preparation of project reports.

·       Providing disease diagnostic facilities. 

Progress achieved during the year 2005-06 (1.4.05 to 31.03.06) 

          1.          Giriraja eggs produced               3,78,334

          2.          Giriraja chicks produced             1,39,466

          3.          Persons trained                        2,723

During the year 2005-06 under Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Assistance to State Poultry Farms” – the Regional Poultry and Training Centre, Malavalli has been provided with Rs. 69.00 lakhs which includes a central share of 80% is Rs. 55.00 lakhs and state share of 20% which constitutes Rs. 14.00 lakhs for strengthening of infrastructure, rearing of 4000 Giriraja parent stock production of 2.2 lakhs Giriraja chicks and to provide training to poultry farmers etc.,