Semen processing at a modern lab
Pilot Doorstep AI Delivery Services
Under NDP I, sub-projects are being implemented to
set up a pilot model for doorstep AI delivery services
operating in a financially self-sustainable manner using
Standard Operating Procedures including animal
tagging and performance record. Considering the
overlap in area of operation between Andhra Pradesh
Livestock Development Agency (APLDA) and Shreeja
Mahila Milk Producer Company, the Pilot Doorstep AI
Delivery Services sub-project implemented by Shreeja
Mahila Milk Producer Company has been withdrawn.
APLDA has committed to provide doorstep AI Delivery
services to all the members of Shreeja Mahila Milk
Producer Company.
These pilot sub-projects being implemented under NDP I
have covered 10,710 villages through 1,367 Mobile AI
technicians (MAITs) and have carried out 0.52 million
artificial inseminations during 2016-17. Seven AI Training
Centres are being engaged to provide Basic AI training
to prospective MAITs of the project and since inception,
1,706 MAITs have undergone training. Deployed MAITs
have been trained on AI module of INAPH for capturing
transactions directly into INAPH using internet-enabled
netbooks.
The extension activities have been intensified and tin
paintings, posters, wall paintings etc. have been placed
in strategic locations around villages. 11,048 Farmers
55

meetings were organised which were attended by about
2.3 Lakh farmers. 3,237 infertility management camps
and 397 calf shows were also organised.
Ration Balancing Programme
Under Ration Balancing Programme (RBP), Local
Resource Person (LRP) formulates a least cost balanced
ration for milch animals from locally available feed
resources using the software “Information Network for
Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH)”. Balanced
ration to milch animals helps in ensuring that the milch
animals produce milk commensurate with their genetic
potential. Feeding the balanced ration to milk animals
not only reduces the cost of feeding per kg of milk but
also significantly reduces methane emissions.
Under this programme, 117 sub projects of 105 EIAs
from 18 States have been approved. Under these sub-
projects advice on balanced ration has been provided
for 2.36 million milch animals in 29,973 villages. The
interventions has resulted in reducing the cost of feeding
per kg of milk by more than 10 per cent on an average
and also reduction in methane emission by more than
12 per cent in lactating cows and buffaloes.
A workshop on the sustainability of LRPs under RBP
was organised wherein good performing EIAs, having
sustainability mechanism in place, shared their
experiences. Based on the deliberations during the
workshop, participating EIAs prepared their plans for
sustaining the LRPs and RBP.
INAPH data indicates that balanced ration to milch
animals has led to an increase in average daily milk yield
of 0.26 kg per animal and milk fat by 0.10 per cent. Cost
of feeding was reduced by ` 2.36 per kg of milk. These
factors have resulted in increase in average net daily
income of milk producers by about ` 26 per animal.
Comparison of data on lactation length of RBP verses
non-RBP animals indicate that the lactation period
increased on feeding a balanced ration by 28 and 67
days in cattle and buffaloes, respectively.
Convergence of Ration Balancing Programme with
Progeny Testing and Pedigree Selection activities has
happened in various sub-projects. Out of the total
6,574 villages under Progeny Testing (PT) and Pedigree
Selection (PS) interventions, 3,513 (53%) villages have
convergence with Ration Balancing Programme.
Fodder Development Programme
Under Fodder Development Programme, certified /
truthfully labelled fodder seeds are being promoted to
increase fodder production. Field demonstrations of
mowers, silage making and biomass storage silos are
56 National Dairy Development Board
Corporate Overview A nnual R eport 2 0 1 6 - 1 7
also being carried out to popularise these technologies
among farmers. 50 fodder development sub-projects
from 13 states are under implementation.
Under these sub-projects till March 2017, support has
been provided for production of 8,218 MT of fodder seeds
and sale of 19,980 MT of certified / truthfully labelled
fodder seeds. 1,899 silage demonstrations have been
organised, 637 mowers have been procured and 87
biomass storage silos have been constructed. During the
year, Kota fodder seed processing plant has been set up
and put under operation and with this 5 seed processing
plants have been made operational under NDP I. The
civil works for the enrichment and densification plant at
Kolhapur is in an advance stage of completion.
Silage making is getting popular among farmers and 2,687
farmers have started silage making after participating in
silage demonstrations organised under NDP I.
Under NDP I, the initiative to establish Micro-Training
Centre (MTC) has been quite successful for reaching out
to farmers and promote new technologies on improved
fodder production & conservation. Farmer-to-farmer
education/technology transfer has been quicker as
compared to other traditional methods.
Ropar Milk Union - Pioneer in
implementation of Fodder Development
Programme
The progressive farmers of Ropar Milk Union own
relatively large holdings of agricultural lands. The major
crops cultivated in the area are paddy and wheat. In many
villages, the farmers burn the paddy straw to prepare the
land for sowing of wheat crop. Due to non-availability of
proper infrastructure, farmers had no option but to burn
the stubble after using combine harvesters.
Under NDP I, the Ropar Milk Union procured Flail Mower
Chopper Loader, Baler, Raker, Disk Mower, Row Free
Mower Chopper Loader and Paddy Straw Chopper-
cum-Shredder. About 1,850 farmers from 52 villages
have been covered under the demonstration of mowers
programme.
With baler rake set, paddy could be collected easily and
some farmers were able to sell it @ ` 12,000 per hectare.
This has proved to be an additional source of income
to farmers. Some farmers managed to mix biomass into
soil by using mulcher type paddy straw chopper-cum-
shredder. A few needy farmers even collected and utilised
the left over chopped straw for animal feeding. The milk
union is providing mowers to the needy farmers on rent
on no profit no loss basis. The demand for mowers rises
during harvesting season.