Vol. 14 No. 2
Effect of Azolla supplementation on milk yield and economics under farmers’ field
Author(s): P. S. ROY, A. ROY, P. K. PATHAK, N. MANDAL, S. SOREN AND S. KUMAR
Abstract: Productivity of dairy animals largely depends on efficient feeding management. Balanced and proper feeding results in better utilization of nutrients and optimum milk production. Farmers generally fed their milch cows through grazing without considering quality and quantity of concentrate feed in Murshidabad District of West Bengal. Traditional supplements based on mustard oil cake as concentrate feed cannot fulfill the required nutrients to animals. There is ample scope for improving the productivity of livestock by better balancing of nutrients and optimizing the utilization of unconventional feed resources. Azolla has been reported as potential feed supplement for milch animals, which have rich in protein, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Feeding of Azolla to milch animals resulted in increase in milk yield. The low cost supplementation of Azolla can also improve the mean returns from single cow (through additional milk yield) per month in the village.