Volume - Indian Dairy Association

47livestock breeding and health care services in the target areas. The Paravetsinvolved in animal breeding and veterinary extension officers working in theAH department of the State Government need to make further enquiries in thetarget villages to assess the need of fodder seeds of different species andvarieties. Based on this compiled information, Agricultural Universities, KVKsand the National Seed Corporation should be assigned the task of taking upfodder seed production, either independently or through progressive farmersunder Contract Farming. The seed production agencies should be assured ofbuying the seeds for distribution to needy farmers. The seed distribution canbe coordinated by the Dairy Federations through their cooperatives. Thisactivity should be supported by field technical advisory services, by appointingforage production specialists to guide the farmers.Many experts have observed that farmers have to invest a large sum onprocurement of fodder seeds, as compared to the seeds of food crops, due tohigh seed rate. Hence, to encourage small farmers, fodder seeds which arepriced very high may be subsidised in the initial stages, till the farmers areconfident of getting back their investment with higher returns.There is also a need for supporting dairy farmers to make efficient use offodder by chopping and processing into silage and hay. Suitable schemes willhave to be designed to facilitate these activities. With such a comprehensiveprogramme, fodder production can be given a boost as seen in many milk shedareas across the country and the gap between the demand and supply can bereduced significantly.