Main Forage Research Station,
Anand Agricultural University,
Anand-388 110 (Gujarat) India.
Year of Establishment
Grass
Research Scheme was started in 1963 under at erstwhile Institute of
Agriculture, Anand. Subsequently, AICRP on Forage Crops was stared by ICAR
in 1970 and Strengthening research in forage crops, a plan project was
iniated by GAU in 1986 at Anand.
Introduction
Livestock is
an important component of Indian rural and urban economies.
However, the low productivity of livestock is a matter of
concern, which is primarily due to insufficient fodder and feed
resources. Concerted efforts are needed to augment the
production of high yielding forage crops to enhance the
productivity of animal wealth.
The cultivation of forage crops
has gained importance in recent years due to rapid diminution of
grassland and pasture areas. Growing forage crops as sole crop
or in existing cropping systems, utilizing marginal and
problematic soils is practiced to a varying degree throughout
the country. This is especially true in tracts for dairy farming
in Gujarat. Forage production has to be oriented in such a
manner that there is a regular and continuous supply for a
longer period. However, under rainfed conditions, availability
of green forages is restricted only for three to four months in
a year, owing to seasonal rainfall. Looking at the existing gap
between the demand and supply, it is necessary to transfer the
available technology of forage production to the farmer’s
fields.
In Gujarat,
the research work on grasses was started in 1963 under Grass
Research Scheme at erstwhile Institute of Agriculture, Anand.
Subsequently, Anand was identified as one of the center of AICRP
on Forage Crops by ICAR in 1970. For strengthening research in
forage crops in the state, a plan project was sanctioned by GAU
in 1986 at Anand. The work on rainfed grasses is being conducted
at Grassland Research Station, Dhari while the Main Forage
Research Station, Anand Agricultural University, Anand is
conducting the research work on cultivated forage crops under
irrigated conditions to cater the needs of the different regions
of the Gujarat state.
In the context of technology
transfer in forages, there has been relatively good progress in
well defined production systems and varietal improvement. The
majority of the farmers under the existing production systems
are yet to get the advantage of forage production technology.
Research in forage production
technology and forage quality
02692-22663 (O)
9898053204 (M)
anilkotecha.v.@ yahoo.com
7.
Shri S.M. Valand
S.R.A.
B.Sc.
23
--
--
Agro-climatic information of the Center
(a)Name of the Agro-climatic zone : III (AES II)
(b)Rainfall
: Average rainfall of last 30 years : 853 mm.
(c)Soil :
Sandy loam (Alluvial) type with average depth of > 10 m.
(d)
Temperature : Min. : 10.83 0C ; Max. : 40.08 0C
(e)Geographical Details : Latitude 220 35' Longitude : 720
55'
(f)Soil
properties :
Type
Sandy loam, Medium in soil fertility and responsive to
fertilizers
pH
8.2 Neutral in reaction
Organic Carbon %
0.30-0.40, Medium
Available N
250-280, Medium
Available P2O5
40-50, Medium
Available K2O
250-300, High
Water properties
Good
EC (Micromhos/cm)
0.25
SAR
5.8
RSC (meq/lit)
< 1.00
Class
Good
Fluoride
NIL
Infrastructure :
Total area of farm
16.90
ha
Farm area under cultivation
16.90
ha
Area under farm structure / building
1.29
ha.
Irrigated Area
16.90
ha
Source of irrigation
Borewell
- 1 (One)
Special Facilities if any
--
Mandate :
Sr.
No.
Name of the scheme
Mandate
1.
AICRP on Forage Crops, Anand,
B.H. 2012,
(ICAR)
To carry out an integrated
multi-disciplined and problem oriented programme of Forage
Research by a tem of scientists including Plant Breeder,
Agronomist and Chemist (Quality Evaluation). To evolve high
yielding varieties having high forage yield and quality. To
generate information on forage technology and multiply and
supply the targeted breeder seeds requirements of the varieties
developed by the project and national fodder varieties.
2.
Grass Research Scheme, Anand,
B.H. 5012
(Non-plan)
This scheme objective is to collect, select
and breed various indigenous grasses and legumes for different
agro-climatic zones of the state with the ultimate aim to
increase the production of grasses and legumes from the natural
grasslands of the state and also to conduct Research in
Grassland and management and development.
3.
Strengthen Research in Forage Crops, Anand,
B.H. 10012,
(Plan)
i)To breed high yielding
varieties of forage crops having high forage yield and quality.
ii)To develop forage crops
varieties for moisture stress condition alkalinity, saline
conditions and resistant to water logging.
iii)To develop and introduce
legumes like stylosanthes, siratro for improving
the carrying capacity of pasture lands.
iv)To develop agro-techniques
and package of practices for maximizing production of forage
crops.
Objectives
:
::
To
carry out an integrated multi-disciplinary and problem-oriented
programme of forage research by a team of scientists including
breeder, agronomist, chemist (Quality evaluation) and
entomologist
::
To provide required quality of breeder seed of the
varieties.
::
To evolve high yielding varieties having high forage yield
and quality.
::
To work out the agronomy of various forage crops to maximise
production.
::
To generate information of forage technology.
::
To conduct All India Co-ordinated varietal and agronomical
trials to collect information under the agro-climatic conditions
of Gujarat State.
::
To disseminate knowledge regarding improved package of
practices among the farmers.
::
To impart post-graduate training in the disciplines
concerned.
Projects Operating at the Research
Station
Sr. No.
Name of the scheme
B.H.
Type of scheme
Funding agency
1.
AICRP on Forage
Crops
2012
Plan
ICAR
2.
Grass Research
Scheme
5012
Non-Plan
State
3.
Strengthening Research in Forage Crops,
10012
Plan
State
4.
Revolving Fund
9510-A-3
-
State
5.
Revolving Fund
2076-5
-
ICAR
Research Activities :
Crop Improvement
::
Strengthening of genetic
resources which includes collection, evaluation and maintenance
of germplasm for making use in breeding programmes.
::
Development of new genetic
materials for developing genotypes with high stable yield,
better grain quality and resistance various biotic and abiotic
stresses
::
Testing of newly developed
genotypes under various categories of trails such as AVT, IVT,
LSVT, SSVT
::
Seed multiplication of different
varieties on large scale to cater to the need of farmers and
various seed producing agencies.
::
Dissemination
of the newly developed technology on the farmer's field through
demonstrations
Resource Management
::
Enhancing and sustaining yield
and soil fertility in forage cropping systems through manure
and fertilizer management.
::
Remunerative forage based
cropping system for sustained production under irrigated
condition.
::
Integrated
nutrient management in forage based system
::
To study the effect of nitrogen
on forage crops.
::
To workout the suitable inter
cropping system in forage crops.
::
Effect
of fertilizer management on seed yield of Lucerne
::
Effect of cutting management in different genotypes of forage
Bajra during summer season
Crop
Protection
::
Pest and diseases survey and
surveillance of various forage crops.
::
Screening of entries of various
forage crops against different diseases and insect pests.
::
Management of various insect
pests and diseases of forage crops through chemicals and
non-chemicals.
::
Development of IPM / IDM modules for the management of different
insect pests of forage crops
Research Recommendations
Research Recommendations made for the Farmers : (Approved
in Joint AGRESCO)
Achievements
Seed
Production and Other Achievements :
Publications
Publications :(Include the publications published by Station
and Presently available only)
Transfer of Technologies
Transfer of technology through
lectures to the grass root workers is a continuous process. The
agencies which are involved in such programme are:
(a)Officials
of the Department of Agriculture working in the Training and
Visit chain in the state.
(b)Officials
of the Department of Animal Husbandry who are directly related
with the livestock production in the state.
(c)The
rural and tribal area workers involved in the upliftment of the
poor.
(d)Farmers
from different parts of the country in general and Gujarat in
particular sponsored by the Government organizations and Non
Government are exposed to the production technologies through
farm visits, literature and classroom teachings.
(e)The
museum maintained at Main Forage Research Station is open to the
farmer visitors and officials from different spheres of
organizations.
(f) Specialized
lectures are given in the training programmes on forage seed
production technology for the officials of Sabarmati Ashram
Gaushala, Bidaj (Governed by National Dairy Development Board).
(g)Strong
coordination existed with the Regional Station for Forage
Production and Demonstration, Palej (Government of India) in
respect of imparting the training on forage production to the
officials of Gujarat, Maharastra, Goa, Daman and Diu. Active
participation in the annual farmer’s day is also a part of the
strengthened ties.
Field demonstration
Large Scale field demonstration on
different forage production technologies have been conducted at
different dairies, Non Government Organizations, Government
Institutions and farmers fields in the state as mentioned below
:
NGOs:- Rural Agro Research and
Development Society, Mundra, Kutchh; Agro-service Center
Training Institute, Mandavi (Kutchh); Dakor Temple
Government Institutions :- Deputy
Director of Animal Husbandry, Patan; Deputy Director of Animal
Husbandry, Bhuj; Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry, Mandavi;
Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry, Ahmedabad; Bhutvad (Dhoraji),
Rajkot; Thara, Ta. Kankrej, Ahmedabad;
