Yogi govt to launch 45-day campaign to cultivate Napier grass on pasture lands

Lucknow: In order to provide green and nutritious fodder for the destitute cows and enhance the fertility of pasture lands, the Yogi government will run a 45-day campaign during which Napier grass will be grown on pasture lands.

The aim of the campaign is to address the shortage of fodder during the summer, deal with the rising fodder prices during the off-season, and maintain the health of destitute cows.

As per the instructions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Department of Animal Husbandry will launch the said campaign across the state starting July 11. This campaign will run for 45 days and conclude on August 25.

Directions have been issued to all District Magistrates (DMs) for the inspection of the pasture lands in relation to the campaign. Furthermore, DMs have also been entrusted with the responsibility of providing the roots and saplings of Napier grass.

Additionally, the CDO has been assigned the responsibility of occasionally monitoring the Napier grass on the pasture land. They will also have to send their reports from time to time to the District Magistrates, who will then submit their reports to the government.

ACS and Additional Directors to take charge of the region

Animal Husbandry Minister Dharampal Singh has revealed that this decision has been taken for the first time to plant Napier grass on the pasture lands of the state, in accordance with the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

He added that this will not only address the problem of green fodder scarcity in the state but also provide nourishment to destitute cows by including Napier grass in their diet.

Minister Dharampal Singh mentioned that in regard to the campaign, the department has appointed the Additional Chief Secretary Rajneesh Dube and Additional Directors as the Nodal Officer to coordinate with all District Magistrates for this initiative, assess the situation at the regional level, and provide necessary guidelines.

He said that Additional Chief Secretary Rajneesh Dube, Special Secretary Devendra Pandey, Shiv Sahay Awasthi, Ram Sahay Yadav, Director Indramani, Dairy Commissioner Shashi Bhushan Lal Sushil, and PCDF MD Kunal Silku, among others, have been entrusted with the responsibility of two divisions each. On the other hand, the Additional Director will inspect one division.

Due to the cultivation of Napier grass, green fodder is available to animals throughout the year. This fodder is full of nutrition. It contains an average protein content of 7 to 12 percent. The leaves of Napier grass contain 9.30 percent protein, while the stems contain 4.40 percent protein. Cultivating Napier grass also increases the fertility of the soil through its roots.