𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟓. 𝐔𝐩𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧
𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲:
Mr. Wangchuk, Offtg. Program Director, National Development Centre for Animal Nutrition, Bumthang
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Bhutan is an agrarian country with agriculture & livestock sector engaging about 48.49% of the total population (NSB, 2022). Livestock rearing is considered as one of the most important economic activities providing supplementary as well as stable income for the rural community round the year (FAO 2021). The increasing trend of livestock population demands for parallel increase in feeding resources. Availability of adequate fodder resources is one of the most important elements for sustainable dairy farming. In the 12th FYP, the National Development Center for Animal Nutrition, Bumthang initiated one of the important activities on upscaling of fodder seed production through strengthening contract fodder seed production program. Around 700 farmers were engaged in fodder seed production activity. Increasing productivity of feed and fodder resources is directly proportional to quality seed supply to the farmers.
𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝
In 12th FYP, NDCAN, Bumthang facilitated the production, processing and supply of 128.38 MT of perennial fodder seed and 900 MT of annual or winter fodder seed (Oat and Fodder maize). The fodder seeds were supplied based on demand received from the Dzongkhags and Center/ Farms. The center also supplied 31.46 MT of Tall Fescue seed for lawn grass development to various Government and Private entities in the country.
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭
Upon successful upscaling of contract fodder seed production program, the demand for adequate fodder seeds supply could be met in the Dzongkhags for improved pasture and winter fodder development activities. This program has contributed towards increasing forage production to sustain dairy farming ventures in the 12th FYP. Another major beneficial impact observed was earning of cash income for contract fodder seed producing farmers through sale of fodder seeds. Through contract fodder seed program, around 700 farmers were directly employed generating an approximate cash income amounting Nu. 58.17 million in 12th FYP. On average an individual farmer had made an approximate income around Nu 83,100 through sale of fodder seeds. The extra income earned from engaging in contract fodder seed programs for rural farmers have helped them to improve their livelihood in addition to meeting the forage demand for their dairy cattle through utilization of fodder resources derived from fodder seed production activity.
