Fodder from maize plants

Stems and leaves of maize which are thrown away as waste during harvest of the crop are utilised in production of the fodder.

This was disclosed at a workshop jointly organised by Brac, a major NGO, and Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI). Held at the Sadar Upazila Auditorium on Monday, the workshop was presided by Nilphamari Sadar upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) ATM Moaduzzaman.

The new technology has created a great enthusiasm among the farmers who participated at the workshop.

While addressing as special guest, Brac Artificial Insemination Programme technical manager AQM Shafiqur Rouf said fodder worth Tk 30,000 can be produced on a hectare of land by practising the new technology at a nominal cost of only 15 paisa per kg.

Brac has launched a campaign to popularise the new technology among farmers at the grass roots level, he said.

In his key-note speech, BLRI chief scientific officer and research division head Khan Shahidul Haque said the technology is easy and simple while the fodder can be used throughout the year. At first maize stems and leaves are cut into small pieces. Then those are preserved in ground stores called silo pits. Molasses or urea are mixed to it during preservation to increase food value of fodder, he added.

While speaking as the chief guest, the Department of Agriculture Extension deputy director (DD) Shakhwat Hossain said maize has become the golden crop of the region.

The developed technology holds a great promise, particularly for Teesta shoals and the surrounding areas of Teesta Barrage like Dalia, Doani, Dimla, Hatibandha and Jalkdhaka where maize is grown extensively.

Farmers cultivate maize in the areas under the Crops Diversi-fication Project of Agriculture Department. A good number of NGOs have extended their helping hands in its effort.

Forty per cent of maize corns used in production of poultry feed to meet the demand of the entire country are procured from Nilpha-mari and part of Lalmonirhat districts. Besides, that 54 percent of maize producing lands are situated in Rajshahi division. Every season, 10 tons of maize and 50 tons of stems and leaves are produced on a hectare of land in the region.