Abstract

A Study on the Potential of Azolla pinnataas Livestock Feed Supplement for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Author(s): Gulshan Kumar and Hem Chander

Azolla pinnatais an aquatic fern. It is a good source of high quality protein. It also contains almost all essential amino acids, vitamins, Beta-carotene, minerals and appreciable quantities of bio-polymers. It contains 21-23% crude protein. Investigations wereundertaken to explore nutritive potential of Azolla pinnataas balanced feed for livestock. An on farm trial was conducted on cattle, goat and chicksat three locations of Hamirpur district namely Lag-Manwin (Bhoranj), Annu (Hamirpur) and Mann (Nadaun). Azollaunits were established for cultiva-tion of Azollaat eachlocation. Thecultivated Azollawas then fed to select cattle, goat and chicksas protein supple-ment for two months regularly. There was an appreciable increase in milk production (10-15%), meat by weight (8-10%) and egg laying capacity (10-15%) in milch animals,goats and chicks respectively. On the basis of the present investigationsand observations, Azolla pinnata is being recommended as potential unconventional protein supple-ment for livestock during lean period of the year in rain fed areas.This technology has promising climate change adaptive capacity and is helpful inclimate change adaptation of famers in these areas as climate change is a threat to livestockproductionbecause of the impact on quantity and quality of feed crops, fodderand forage.

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