Profitable venture of BN hybrid cultivation for dairy farmers

The study investigates the potential of BN Hybrid cultivation as a profitable venture for dairy farmers in Uttar Pradesh, focusing on its role in enhancing green fodder availability and supporting dairy productivity. The research highlights the growing challenges in fodder production, with significant deficits in green and dry fodder, which affect livestock health and milk production. In response, BAIF introduced BAIF Napier Hybrid-11 (BNH-11) as a high-yielding hybrid that could address fodder shortages while benefiting dairy farmers. The study involved the distribution of BNH-11 stem cuttings to 137 farmers in the Kasumbi and Raebareli districts, along with training on best practices for its cultivation. The results demonstrated substantial increases in green fodder yields, with average yields ranging from 24.70 to 49.70 MT/ha across the first, second, and third cuts. Additionally, the feeding of BNH-11 fodder to livestock resulted in a notable increase in milk yield (500-600 ml per animal per day) and improved milk quality. The adoption of BNH-11 expanded to 645 additional farmers, leading to the sale of 7.89 lakh stem cuttings, generating significant income for farmers. The projected area under BNH-11 cultivation reached 40 hectares, producing 6,000-7,000 MT of green fodder annually, sufficient to feed 700-800 animals. This model has proven to be economically viable, enhancing fodder production, improving livestock productivity, and generating supplementary income, thereby contributing to the sustainability of dairy farming in the region.