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Rudo RURAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANISATION 173, TRAINING GUIDE AZOLLA – A sustainable feed substitute for livestock Ø The dairy became main occupation in rural area because of agriculture is receding Ø Since growing demand for meat and milk, the animal husbandry became profitable income source for rural poor Ø Cultivation of Dwarft crops and decrease in forest and graze lands resulted sustainable decline in fodder production Ø The dairy farmers are dependent on commercial feeds Ø The commercial feeds are mixed with urea and artificial milk booster Ø They Causes effect on quality of milk produced and longevity of the animal Ø In turn leads to cancer and coronary ailments in human beings Ø Usage of commercial feed is not economical and declines income Ø Azolla is the most economic and efficient feed substitute for live stock Ø Azolla is a floating fern in shallow water Ø Azolla is very rich in proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins (A, B12, Beta carotene) and growth promoter intermediaries and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, ferrous, copper, magnesium etc.,) Rudo Ø Azolla on dry weight basis is constituted of 25.35% protein content, 10.15% mineral content and 7 – 19% a combination of amino acids, bio active substances and bio polymers Ø Carbohydrate and oil content are very low in Azolla Ø Azolla can be easily digestible by the livestock, owing to its high protein and low lignin content Ø Milk yield increases by 15 to 20% Ø 15 to 20% commercial feed is replaced by azolla Ø Azolla feeding does not affect the milk production, improves quality of milk and health and longevity of livestock Ø Feeding Azolla to poultry birds improves the weight of the broiler chicken and increases the egg production of layers Ø Azolla can be fed to sheep, goat, pig and rabbits as feed substitute AZOLLA PRODUCITON Ø An artificial water body is made, preferably under the shade of a tree with the help of a silpauline sheet Ø A pit of the size of 2 m x 2m x 0.2 m is dug as a first step Ø The pit is covered with plastic gunnies to prevent the roots of the near by trees piercing the silpauline sheet Ø Spread over the silpauline sheet over the plastic gunnies Ø About 10 – 15 kgs. of sieved fertile soil is uniformly spread over the silpauline sheet Rudo Ø Slurry made of 2 kg. cow dung and 30 gms. of super phosphate in 10 liters of water is poured into the sheet Ø More water is poured to make water level reach about 10 cm. Ø About 500 gms. - 1 kg. of fresh and pure culture of Azolla is inoculated in the pit Ø Azolla will rapidly grow and fill the pit within 10 – 15 days Ø About 500 – 600 gms. of Azolla can be harvested daily thereafter Ø A mixture of 20 gms. of super phosphate and about 1 kg. of cow dung should be added once in 5 days to keep the Azolla in rapid multiplication Ø Micro nutrient mix containing trace element is added weekly intervals to enhance mineral content of Azolla Ø In this method the cost of production of Azolla is less than 65 ps/pit PRECAUTIONS Ø A shady place, preferably under a tree with sufficient sunlight should be chosen for the Azolla production unit. A place of direct sunlight should be avoided Ø All corners of the pit should be of the same level so that the water level so that the water level can be maintained uniformly Ø Azolla bio mass @ 399 gm. – 350 gm. / sq. mt should be removed daily to avoid over crowding and for keeping the fern at rapid multiplication Rudo Ø Suitable nutrients should be supplied as and when, nutrient deficiency is noticed Ø Plant protection measures against pests and disease should be taken as and when required Ø About 5 kg. bed soil should be replaced with fresh soil, once in 30 days to avoid nitrogen build up and prevent micro nutrient deficiency Ø 25 to 30% water also needs to be replaced with fresh water once in 10 days to prevent nitrogen build up in the bed Ø Replacement of water and soil should be followed by fresh inoculation of Azolla at least once in six months Ø A fresh bed has to be prepared and inoculated with pure culture of Azolla when contaminated by pest and diseases USING AZOLLA AS LIVESTOCK FEED Ø Azolla should be harvesting with plastic tray having holes of 1 sq. cm. mesh size to drain the water Ø Wash to get rid of the cow dung smell Ø Azolla should be mixed with commercial feed in 1 : 1 ration to feed the livestock Ø Livestock can be fed directly with Azolla Ø Dried Azolla can be powder and added to the regular feed |
