Karnataka - Bidar   

Helping farmers generate more income

The avian section of the Livestock Research and Information Centre (Deoni) at Hallikhed village in Bidar.

BIDAR: The activities of farmers are best demonstrated through the concept of a bio-village at the Livestock Research and Information Centre (Deoni) at Hallikhed village in Bidar.

The farm, spread over 21.78 hectares, was renovated and developed by the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, under the tenure of the previous Vice-Chancellor, R.N. Srinivas Gowda.

At the centre, the concept of a bio-village was explained to the farmers. Fodder and pasture cultivation, and research, conservation and maintenance of the Deoni breed of cattle are some of the activities taken up at the centre. The centre is classified into sections such as avian, aquaculture, perennial grasses, fodder plots, vermicompost, Azolla (a fern rich in proteins) cultivation, rainwater harvesting, and training and instructional activities for farmers. Assistant professor at the centre Satish Chandra Biradar told The Hindu that the objective of the bio-village was to make farmers utilise their spare time for various activities by which they could generate more income.

He said, “A farmer remains free for most of the year as he is engaged in agricultural activities for only a few months. He can make use of his free time by taking up aquaculture and animal husbandry to augment his income.”

Farmers were also shown how to cultivate fodder plots and perennial grasses. The purpose of the demonstration was to make farmers understand that green fodder gives a better yield of milk than dry fodder, Mr. Biradar said.

Mr. Satish said feeding Azolla to cattle had increased the yield of milk. The centre maintained Azolla production units for demonstration. There were also about 10 units for manufacturing vermicompost.

The emerging trends in poultry farming such as rearing emus and turkeys were also explained. Twenty-five turkeys and two emus are kept in the avian section.

Mr. Satish said several farmers were given training in all these aspects.

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