| KVK, educates Farmers on Azolla Farming | | | Early Times Report
REASI, Jan 24: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Reasi under the aegis of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu (SKUAST-J) educated the farmers for Azolla cultivation here at KVK, Reasi campus under the dynamic leadership of Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. B.N. Tripathi and able guidance of Director Extension, Prof.Amrish Vaid of SKUAST-J. Dr. Banarsi Lal, Sr.Scientist and Head of KVK, Reasi said that KVK has provided Azolla to the farmers so that they can establish Azolla units in their farms and feed Azolla to their poultry and dairy animals. He informed that Azolla is a multifaceted aquatic resource to ensure ecosystem sustainability in the hilly areas. He said that it is a free floating, fastly growing aquatic fern on the surface of water. He said that farmers can cultivate Azolla cheaply at their farms by establishing Azolla units in their farms and they can feed their animals and poultry birds as it has multifarious uses. He also informed that Azolla helps in nitrogen fixation as it lives with the blue green algae which fixes atmospheric nitrogen for the rapid plant growth and it can be used to grow the organic paddy. He informed that dry Azolla contains 25-35% protein, 10-15% minerals and 7-10% of amino acids, bioactive substances and biopolymers. He further said that Azolla is very rich in proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin B12, Beta Carotene), growth promoter intermediaries and minerals including calcium, phosphorous, potassium, ferrous, copper and magnesium. He added that Azolla is a multi-animal feed, biofertilizer and is helpful in improving the livestock health in an organic way. He expressed that Azolla is highly productive plant and it doubles its biomass between 3 and 6 days depending on conditions. He informed that Azolla is an excellent alternative source of concentrates, fodder and feed, easily digestible and provides a sustainable feed for livestock. He said that it contains most of the nutrients which are required for all classes of livestock, including poultry and fish. He added that it contains easily digestible high protein content, vitamins and minerals and low carbohydrates and fat which is suitable feed for livestock. He informed that Azolla is a good source of Nitrogen for paddy crop and it mitigates green house gas emission from agriculture. By observing the successful results of Azolla many new farmers are showing keen interest towards this technology. |
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