Azolla - Nature's Gift.VOB

“In India, livestock is a major source of livelihood security for the rural poor. However, profitability of livestock husbandry is directly dependent on sources of feed and fodder, as about 65-70% of the total cost of livestock farming is attributed to feeding. In addition, over 90% farmers, who are small and marginal land holders own 90-95% livestock. But, are unable to devote their small land holdings for cultivation of fodder crops as their priority is to produce food grains. This film showcases, the efforts of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore with the support of Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust in promoting Azolla – “the wonder fern” as a solution to addressing feed and fodder shortage in Tamil Nadu. Azolla is rich in proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals and studies have shown that Azolla feeding to dairy cattle, pigs, ducks, and chickens resulted in increases in milk production, weight of broiler chickens and egg production of layers, as compared to conventional feed. Hence, Azolla is increasingly finding use as a sustainable source for livestock and poultry feed production. The efforts of the Trusts’ and TNAU have further resulted in standardizing Azolla feed (both dry and wet) ratios, thus ensuring maximum gain through optimum feed usage and minimum wastage.”