ICAR-IGFRI Annual Report 2012-13

Abstract

Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, a premier forage research institute of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, is mandated to undertake research, extension and other developmental activities towards forage resources improvement in the country. It conducts basic, strategic and applied research with the objectives to enhance forage productivity, develop new cultivars, improved forage production practices and efficient forage utilization for the benefit of | millions of livestock farmers. Over more than five decades of its existence, the Institute has shown remarkable development and expertise in different areas of forage production, processing, utilization and human resource development. There is tremendous pressure of ever increasing livestock population on available total feed and fodder resulting in huge deficit. At present, the country faces a net deficit of 35.6% green fodder, 10.95% dry crop residues and 44% concentrate feed ingredients. Hence, there is a need for constant evolutionary approach in formulating and implementing research programmes that can generate farmer's friendly adoptable technologies leading to forage security and sustainable livestock production in the country. These challenges have recently been revisited and a policy document in the form IGFRI Vision-2050 has been prepared. The current Annual Report focuses on the achievements and progress made during the year 2012-2013 in the area of research, education/training and technology dissemination on different aspects of forage production and utilization. The institute had 82 institutional projects, 9 externally funded projects and 2 inter-institutional collaborative projects, During the year, 2 varieties one each in cowpea and guinea grass have been identified for release, 555 accessions of forage crops were procured, technologies for conservation agriculture, grassland rehabilitation and amelioration, silvipasture and hortipasture systems were refined, contingent crop planning involving perennial & seasonal crops were studied, post harvest products/ forages and grazing systems were evaluated in animals. More than 1400 q of breeder & TFL seeds were produced and 1110 Forage Technology Demonstrations were conducted. A livelihood improvement programme for tribal farmers and farm women belonging to districts of Dhar and Jhabua (Madhya Pradesh), Banswara (Rajasthan), and Nandurbar (Maharastra) under Tribal sub plan has been initiated implementing various interventions related to crops, livestock, fodder production and utilization. I sincerely express my gratitude to Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR for his dynamic leadership and strong support and guidance for overall development of the Institute and excelling in performance. I am indebted to Prof. S.K. Datta, DDG (Crop Science) for his ever encouraging advice and support for the progress and success of the Institute. I also thank Dr R.P. Dua, ADG (Food and Forage Crops) for his active participation and valuable suggestions in smooth management of various programmes at the institute. I am thankful to Chairman and members of RAC and IMC of the institute for their valuable advice and guidance in research and administration. I sincerely acknowledge the assistance and cooperation received from Project Coordinator (Forage Crops), Heads of Division, Scientist-in-Charges of Regional Stations, all scientists, technical, administrative and supporting staff of IGFRI. A word of appreciation for editorial team for their untiring efforts for excellent compilation and editing the report within the given time limit.