Chandigarh, January 3: Alfalfa Cultivation : To improve livestock productivity, the Punjab Government will encourage collaborative initiatives. They aim to promote agricultural sustainability. These initiatives will incorporate alfalfa into the state’s forage system. This plan addresses the challenges related to fodder production, said S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Food Processing, Punjab.

The conference focused on Production & Marketing.

He was addressing the Stakeholder Conference on Sustainable Forage Solutions: Alfalfa– Mechanisation. The conference focused on Production & Marketing. Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited (PAIC) organized it in collaboration with Namostute Innovators LLP (NSI) and Team Athena.. The event took place here at the CII Northern Region Headquarters. While emphasising the importance of innovative solutions to tackle fodder scarcity and enhance livestock productivity, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian mentioned that Punjab Agro has cultivated alfalfa forage across 60 acres in Ladhowal (Ludhiana). By promoting its cultivation, the state aims to offer farmers a sustainable feed source. This approach is cost-effective and can result in healthier animals. It also leads to increased milk production.

Alfalfa cultivation offers numerous benefits,

Punjab Agro has partnered with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). It has also partnered with Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. Their goal is to help farmers get the right nutrition information. Alfalfa forage cultivation offers numerous benefits, including high nutritional value and improved livestock health. Additionally, it enhances soil health by fixing nitrogen. It features a deep root system that allows it to access moisture from deeper soil layers. This resilience makes alfalfa more adaptable to drought conditions, ensuring a reliable forage supply even during dry periods, he added.

state’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and feed solutions

While reiterating the state’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and feed solutions, Additional Managing Director of PAIC, Mr. Jagnoor Singh Grewal, emphasised alfalfa farming as a high-nutrition forage crop that complements silage to ensure year-round fodder availability for livestock. Alfalfa is recognised for its high nutritional value. This makes it an ideal forage crop for livestock such as horses, cattle, sheep, and goats. As a three-year crop that can be cut six to eight times a year, alfalfa can improve the overall health of the farming system. It helps break pest and disease cycles and enhances the yields of subsequent crops. Dr. Daniel H. Putnam is the Alfalfa & Forage Extension Specialist from the University of California, Davis. He delivered a keynote address on global best practices in alfalfa cultivation. The event also witnessed active participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders. Representatives came from dairy farms, stud farms, goat farms, piggery units, and poultry farms. Leaders in the dairy and agri-food industries attended the conference. Companies such as Nestlé, Amul, Milkfed, ITC, Unilever, and Bani Milk participated. Academicians, scientists, and senior researchers from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) contributed significantly to the discussions. They also participated from a crop agronomy and animal nutrition perspective. Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University was involved as well.