40k mini fodder kits to be given to dairy farmers, says Revanna

Hamul to procure yield for needy

Hassan Milk Union (Hamul) president and MLA H D Revanna has said 40,000 mini fodder kits, worth Rs 85 lakh, would be distributed to dairy farmers in the district and Hamul would bear the expenses.

Revanna told reporters here on Monday that the decision has been taken because the district is facing a fodder shortage. “As many as 1,000 mini kits containing 50 quintals of velvet bean seeds, worth Rs 4 lakh, will also be distributed free of cost to those possessing irrigated lands. It would enable them to grow green fodder in large quantities. The fodder will be purchased by Hamul and distributed to the needy,” he said.

Revanna said that maize would be grown on 15 acres of vacant land on Hamul premises and distributed to farmers at a discounted price.

Ahara Samatholana scheme
He said resource persons have been deputed in villages under Food Balance (Ahara Samatholana) scheme by utilising the available technology.

They are equipped with laptops with a special software and will visit the houses of dairy farmers and offer suggestions regarding preparation of fodder mixture based on the weight of the cows and yield of milk.

Hamul will distribute seeds to grow green fodder and maize as promoted by Karnataka Milk Federation. Farmers can supply the yield to the federation, he said.

The dairy farmers would be encouraged to grow non-traditional plants like agase (flax) and nugge (drumstick) and saplings would be distributed at 60% discount. So far, Hamul has distributed one lakh saplings, he said.

UHT unit
The ultra high temperature (UHT) processing unit in the district would be expanded at a cost of Rs 55 crore, Revanna said.

An equipment is being imported from Europe at a cost of Rs 15 crore. The ice cream manufacturing unit would start functioning by May end, he added.