Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University

VETERINARY COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NAMAKKAL

BACKGROUND
The Department of Agronomy was started in the year 1986 to impart basic knowledge of Agriculture and fodder crop production to the Veterinary students. A separate farm unit was started in the year 1990 to produce fodder to the livestock maintained in the college and to cultivate different fodder crops for demonstration to students and farmers and to maintain the trees in the fields handed over consequent to land acquisition.

This department is offering a course for U.G. students (LPM 121 Fodder Production and Grassland Management 1+1) in the first year second semester to innovate about forage crops, their importance and cultivation aspects. Further the department is taking care of the fodder production, established trees, maintaining lawns and ornamental plants.

This department is also maintaining a forage farm to provide fodder regularly to cater the needs of the livestock maintained both for research and instructional purposes. The Department of Agronomy, Farm is maintaining about 25 acres of irrigated land in which various fodders including Cumbu Napier hybrid Co-4, Co-3, CoFS-29 (Sorghum), leguminous fodders (Hedge Lucerne, Lucerne, Muyal masal and Mulberry) and tree fodders Agathi, Subabul and Glyricidia were planted in the border and supplied to the livestock farm of the Department of Livestock Production and Management.

In the 50 acres of rain fed land area the fodder sorghum crops like Co -27, M. P. charri, Guinea grass, Kolukattai grass and leguminous crops like muyal masal, cow pea, horse gram and siratro were cultivated and supplied to the livestock farm of the Department of Livestock Production and Management.

Different agro forestry models and model forage plots and pastures are being maintained by this department to educate the students and farmers.
Agro forestry:
Under Agro forestry system, 40.0 acres of land area was ploughed, cleaned and various models of Agro forestry like silviculture, silvipasture, Agri-silviculture, Silvi-horticulture were created. Various tree seedlings viz. Fodder trees, Timber trees, Fruit trees, Oil yielding trees, multi-utility trees and multipurpose trees were collected from different places and planted. Pasture grass (Cenchrus setigerus) and legume (Stylosanthus scabra) has been established in an area of 20 acres. Agro forestry models were established in the wasteland with suitable tree species like Aacha, mankathuvellamaram, Kathisavuku, Neem, Simaruba glauca, eucalyptus and kodukapulli. The seeds produced from the model forage farm were collected and sold to the needed farmers of Tamil Nadu.

This department completed a Part II scheme entitled “Establishment of Model Forage Farm at Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal” (sponsored by Government of Tamil Nadu) with the objective of establishment of forage farm, agro forestry models, model fodder plots, reseeding of native pastures with improved grass varieties, soil and water conservation works and supply of seed materials to the farmers.

OBJECTIVES

To impart teaching undergraduate students in the discipline of Agronomy.
Maintaining forage farm for teaching undergraduate students and for supplying fodder to livestock farm and other needy departments.
Motivating progressive livestock farmers for establishing forage farm and agro forestry models.
Dissemination of newer scientific findings and recent developments in the Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry practices by way of training, extension work, mass contact programmes, radio talk and TV talk.
Maintenance of garden, lawn and trees.
Preparation of new area for cultivation of fodder crops.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPED

Purchase of a Tractor and trailer with accessories (52 HP) Mahendra & Mahendra
Purchase of a power tiller with accessories
Formation of Drying Yard
Purchase of 5 HP and 7.5 HP motor and its accessories & energizing open wells
Development of 45 acres farmland for agro forestry model and rain fed crop production
Purchase of PVC pipes and accessories and laying of PVC pipelines in different farm fields.
Modified the existing Rotovator to 52 HP new Mahindra and Mahindra tractor use
Change and adjustment of existing Farm implements (one 9 arms spring cultivator, one disc plough, one leveler and one ridger ) to 52 HP new Mahindra and Mahindra tractor
Construction of retaining wall in different farm fields
Bund formation in different farm fields
Installation of micro irrigation system (sprinkler & drip irrigation)
Purchase of a Lawn mover
Purchase of a power weeder and brush cutter for inter cultural operation

ACHIEVEMENTS / EXCELLENCE

Composting of poultry manure to avoid nitrogen loss has been found out to conserve nitrogen.
Sowing time of fodder crop under rain fed has been fixed as 1st week of September (36th standard week).
Integrated nutrient management is maintained by application of organic farm sources like compost farm yard manure, poultry manure, sheep and goat manure, horse manure and pig manure in combination with inorganic fertilizer for fodder production to maintain the soil fertility.
Harvesting of Hedge Lucerne crop with different cutting height showed that cutting at 1.0 meter will protect the area from hindrance and also supporting the leguminous fodder for animals throughout the year.
Planting the Co-3 / CoCN - 4 slips by rooted slips during summer reduced the mortality of slips and also increasing the germination percentage (90 per cent).
Planting of Co-3 / CoCN - 4 with hedge lucerne in 3:1 ratio for supplying balanced nutrition and also for reducing the concentrate supplement to the farm animals.
Growing guinea grass variety Co -3 under irrigated condition will produce the same fodder yield of cumbu napier hybrid Co-3 grass crop (300-350 ton / ha.).
Sowing of sorghum CoFS -29 crop under irrigated condition will supply green fodder throughout the year for farm animal because to rationing nature.
Cultivation of CoFS -29 sorghum under irrigation facilities will facilitate for silage and hay making during the excess green fodder production.
Sowing of CoFS -29 at north east monsoon season will be favourable for seed collection and preservation.
Application of organic manure after every harvest of fodder crop have been found to increase the yield and maintain the soil fertility under long run
Revolving fund scheme on Entrepreneurship development programme on “Production and Sale of fodder seeds and slips

Education

Offering a U.G. course LPM 121 Fodder Production and Grassland Management (1+1)

Research

Research works on fodder crops
Externally funded research projects

Outreach

Regularly supply of green fodders to University livestock farm of Department of Livestock Production and Management
Supply of Co 3/Co 4 slips to the progressive farmers throughout Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.
Supply of fodder grasses and legume seeds to the farming community.

CURRENT FOCUS

Construction of store room
Increasing new area under fodder cultivation
Improvement of irrigation facilities
Increasing the revenue generation by means of selling of seed materials, green and dry fodder.

Name	Designation	Email & Tel No.
Dr.S.Ramakrishnan	Assistant Professor and Head	ramkilpmnamakkal@rediffmail.com 9443696557
Mr. K.R .Pushpanathan	Assistant Professor	Pushpanathan.2009@rediffmail.com 9047949976