Samdrupjongkhar: The Samdrupjongkhar Dzonkhag Livestock Sector has introduced the making of silage bag as one of the winter fodder conservation technology to ensure fodder availability throughout the year, minimise cost, enrich crop residue and to make optimal use of green forage during summer.

The introduction of exotic grass like Guatemala (tripsecumlaxum) and Napier(Pennisetumpurpureum) in the Dzingkhag has been a success till date, due to being a perennial. It grows on their own after the harvest and need not required to be sown regularly, it ultimately reduces the work load.

Napier, so far has become the most important due to its wide ecological range, high yield, easy propagation and management. It provides best fodder nutrition during winter which can be harvested 4-5 times annually, if managed properly.

As fodder grasses are seen abundantly in the farmer's fields with higher biomass, it can be conserved in a silage bag to be used during winter which will reduce the building expenses of a silo pit and labour and is very convenient as well.

Considering the above mentioned benefits, the livestock sector started silage

bag making at three locations from 16 till 19 September 2013 to demonstrate

it to the farmers. More than 90 milk cooperative's members from Deothang,

Orong and Wooling geogs actively participated in silage bag making. They were

also informed on group concept, importance of conserving winter fodder, how

to use the chaff cutter and the vacuum cleaner among others. They had

practical experience on 15 old manual chaff cutters by fixing them on their own

and running electrically. The participants found the training easy to use and

adoptable.

The introduction of fodder conservation mainly focused on dairy groups with integrated pasturelands such as from Deothang, Orong and Wooling geogs to help them generate income and enhance their living standards through sale of milk and its products. The new technology also helps to attain a stable milk production especially during the lean season and fodder shortage.

In addition, farmers solely depending on livestock were also demonstrated on fodder preservation and silage bag making for winter benefits.

Introduced in line with the government policy and changing time, the new technology on winter fodder conservation has proven efficient for the farmers.

Submitted by Thinley Rabten, Dzongkhag Livestock Officer, Samdrupjongkhar

BAFRA	1555
DAMC	2009
RDC Wengkhar	204
NCAH, DoL	1224

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