Giving nutritious food to cattle during winter is a challenge for most farmers across the country. Although some farmers store fodder, it lacks nutrition due to poor storage methods. But farmers of Nangkor village in Pema Gatshel will not have to worry about this anymore. Training on how to stock fodder using plastic bags was recently conducted in the village.
After harvesting the grass and maize plants, the farmers cut them into pieces using a chaff cutter machine. They are then packed in plastic bags and stored under a shade for use during the lean winter season.
Ten people from the village took part in the training. They will share what they have learned with the other villagers.
The participants said they never heard of the method in the past.
“In the past, we fed dry fodder to the cattle,” said Pema Choki. “But now we can store fresh nutritious fodder.”
Tashi Phuntsho says he used to store dried maize twigs for winter till now. “But this is easier and the food will also remain nutritious,” he said
“Previously, we used to give the animals commercial feed. We didn’t know any of this. We fed them dry fodder and water most of the time” said Choki.
According to Norbu Gyeltshen, Shumar Gewog’s Livestock Extension Officer, the method will ensure that the stocked food does not lose its nutrition.
“Farmers don’t face any problem regarding fodder during the summer season. But they face shortages for almost six months, especially in winter and spring,” he said. “So, we have supplied them with plastic bags to help them store fodder.”
The training is expected to ensure a regular supply of nutritious fodder for cattle which will enhance milk production. There are more than seventy households in Nangkor village.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
