Azolla cultivation help Lower Dibang Valley farmers

Adoption of Azolla cultivation has helped farmers in Lower Dibang Valley in providing a sustainable alternative to introduced farming and food production practices.

Introduced in the district by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Roing, azolla is a small aquatic plant containing abundant nutrients which is used as fodder for dairy cattle, pigs, chickens, ducks and fish. It can be also used as a fertilizer for vegetables.

“Progressive farmers are selected as beneficiaries and provided with azolla multiplication units consisting of quality seeding materials, silpaulin sheet, Azofert, Azophose and harvesting net,” said TJ Ramesha, Project Coordinator, KVK Roing.

“Twenty seven farmers from across the district have been provided with the assistance including several self help groups.”

Production technology

A pit (2 m length, 1 m wide and 1 ft depth) is first prepared in a leveled and clean area. A silpauline sheet (0.5 mm gauze) of 2.5 m x 1.5 m size is uniformly spread over the pit. Slurry is then prepared using 5 kg of sieved soil, 2 kg cow dung, 30 g of super phosphate (SPP) and poured on to sheet. Later, more water is poured on to raise the water level to about 5-6 inches. About ½ kg of pure Azolla mother culture is spread over the water. The Azolla spreads all over the tank and appears like a thick green mat in 7-10 days time. Daily ½ kg of Azolla can be harvested thereafter.

As Fodder / Feed

Azolla is rich in nutrients such as 25-35 % protein, 10-15% minerals, 7-10% amino acids and other bio-active substances etc. Due to its high protein and low lignin content, livestock (cattle, sheep, goat, pigs and rabbits), poultry and fish can easily digest it. It can be mixed with concentrate feed or can be given raw to the animals.

Responses

The introduction of azolla spelt a revolution for the farmers, who are now reaping the benefits.

According to Raju Linggi, a farmer from Iduli village, he now reaps better harvest than he normally does using the traditional or commercial fodder.

“Use of azolla as fodder has greatly reduced the expenditure on commercial feeds,” he says. “It is cheap, easy to grow and grows fast in a week’s time. From tenth day it can be harvested everyday.”

Growing azolla for last seven months, Linggi says he is also witness to seeing his livestock production yielding good results. “Poultry birds and fish grows fast with bigger in sizes.”

site: http://www.dibangnews.com/2011/11/azolla-cultivation-help-lower-dibang.html