To improve livestock productivity and promote agricultural sustainability, the Punjab Government will encourage collaborative initiatives to incorporate alfalfa into the state's forage system, addressing the challenges related to fodder production, said S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Food Processing, Punjab.
He was addressing the Stakeholder Conference on Sustainable Forage Solutions: Alfalfa– Mechanisation, Production & Marketing organised by Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited (PAIC) in collaboration with Namostute Innovators LLP (NSI) and Team Athena 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 and cost-effective feed source, which can result in healthier animals and increased milk production.
Punjab Agro has partnered with Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University to help farmers get 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 and 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.
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, making 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, Alfalfa & Forage Extension Specialist from the University of California, Davis, delivered a keynote address on global best practices in alfalfa cultivation.
The event also witnessed active participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including representatives from dairy farms, stud farms, goat farms, piggery units, and poultry farms. Leading players in the dairy and agri-food industries, such as Nestlé, Amul, Milkfed, ITC, Unilever, and Bani Milk, also attended the conference.
Academicians, Scientist and Senior researchers from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University played a pivotal role in the discussions from crop agronomy and animal nutrition perspective.