IWMP-3 - Commissionerate of Rural Development Gujarat State ...

DWDU, Rajkot
Objective of a fodder bank:
1. Build a local fodder bank and organize the distribution of fodder during drought and scarce situation. .
2. Establish and maintain village fodder farm in the community grazing area, and allocate the community land for fodder production, in
association with dairy co-operatives.
3. Control regulates and charge in the community grazing and pastures lands.
4. Undertake the distribution of fodder seeds and slips in the village.
Primary problem of the project
In Panchavada cluster\s villages come under 80% rainfed agriculture and soil is very suitable for fodder crop mainly
Jowar,Bajara,Mainge and sorghum. So fodder bank play an important role to improve fodder for cattles to solve this problem. Majority of
farmers own more than 3 ha of land for food and fodder production but lack of sufficient irrigation water has made these lands
unproductive. The concept of fodder bank can overcome the problem of seasonal feed shortage, migration and poor animal performance.
It is the milch animal, which is the worst affected during these periods of drought, due to lack of productivity of sufficient fodder and
water. As a result, the poor are forced to let go with their animals in search of fodder and green pastures to other parts of the state. This
eventually leads to colossal loss of income generating assets, poor demographic profile of village and low education level of their
children.
Even in good years, during harvesting season, the poor tend to sell their crop residue or fodder to earn cash. At such time when supply is
higher than demand, they are not able to sell fodder at remunerative prices. The same fodder is bought back by them, mostly at higher prices
during the months of scarcity.
To meet the critical needs of fodder, especially for the poor families and protect them from inordinately high prices during the summer
months, fodder banks are proposed to be setup at both the village level.
Detailed Project Report: IWMP-III 118