16. Promotion of low cost fodder based milk production systems using Canadian Forage Sorghum Hybrid-30 for the livelihood of the smallholders dairy farmers of Nepal

16. Promotion of low cost fodder based milk production systems using Canadian Forage Sorghum Hybrid-30 for the livelihood of the smallholders dairy farmers of Nepal

RP Sapkota, RS Pande,and JC Gautam
ABTRACO, Kathmandu, Nepal

(Published in: Participatory technology generation for sustainable rural livelihood. Proceedings of the 8th National Outreach Research Workshop 19-20 June 2007. Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), Outreach Research Division (ORD), Lalitpur, Nepal)

ABSTRACT
Dairy enterprises are growing business, contributing in livelihoods of over 500,000 smallholders. The dairy cattle and buffaloes, raised on concentrated based feeding systems are contributing to higher cost of production. Farmers are finding difficulties to sustain the dairy farming due to increasing feed cost, but are compelled to continue in absence of other suitable means for livelihoods. For sustainable and more competitive marketing, the production cost needs to be drastically reduced. Various attempts have been made to reduce the cost of production; growing fodder and pastures is a recent intervention and cultivation of fodder crops like oat, vetch, stylo, napier are quite common. Countrary to the traditional fodder crops, the Canadian Forage Sorghum Hybrid-30 is most suitable as a substitute to expensive concentrated feed; developed in Canada and tested by Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). Since 2005, ABTRACO has been supporting small dairy farmers to practice cost effective milk production systems using CFSH-30 cultivation jointly with Department of Livestock Services (DLS) and NARC; supported by CCO/Nepal. During 2005/06, a total of 240 demonstration plots (each 500 m2) established in eight districts (Ilam, Jhapa, Sunsari, Chitwan, Lalitpur, Kabhre, Rupandehi anf Banke) and 500 packets of mini-kits distributed in four districts (Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha and Sarlahi). Forage production sub-groups, comprising 30 smallholder dairy farmers with 50% women members formed; training on forage production and management provided and required quantity of seeds for three successive seasons supplied to grow year round fodder. The performance and contribution of CFSH-30 ns ensured fodder supply, with the estimated yield 50 mt green matter/ha, demonstrated that it can effectively substitute expensive concentrated feed and greatly contribute to reduce cost of ration combined with awareness towards year round fodder cultivation, animal health services and marketing development to lead the nation towards the competitive market oriented economy and improved livelihoods of small dairy farmers.

INTRODUCTION
Smallholder milk producers
Dairy enterprise as a growing business around urban periphery, and along the national highway, are a major source to drain cash from urban to rural areas, contributing in livelihoods of over 500,000 smallholders milk producers in Nepal. The dairy cattle and buffaloes used for milk production are raised on concentrated based feeding systems. The higher proportion of concentrated feed is contributes to higher cost of milk production. A large proportion of income earned from milk sale, reinvested to purchase concentrated feeds and the smallholder dairy farmers have not been able to reap the benefit as envisaged. The farmer are finding difficulties to sustain the dairy farming, but are compelled to continue due to lack of other suitable means for livelihoods. So, to sustain the dairy farming and make it more competitive, the production cost needs to be drastically reduced.
Severa attempts have been made to reduce the cost of production of milk by GO as well as NGOs. Growing annual and perennial fodders and pastures on private land is a recent intervention to promote low cost fodder based dairy farming systems. Cultivation of fodder crops like oat, vetch, stylo, napier are quite common to supplyquality fodder especially to the daiy animals.

Major Issues

• High cost of production,
• Lack of adequate market and marketing,
• Small scale of production and types of dairy animals,
• Disease and product diversification.

Scope to promote low cost feeding management
• The cost of production of raw milk can be reduced by reducing the feed cost. Forage based livestock farming is one of the cheapest and environmentally sound system and could improve the animal health as well as reduce the cost of production significantly.
• Practice of forage cultivation is not common. Due to the concentrated based feeding practices, the unit cost of milk production is very high. For example, the cost of production of milk in Ilam district is Rs 13/liter whereas in Chitwan is about Rs 22/lt (Maskey, 2004, DLSO Chitwan)), low cot of milk production in Ilam is mainly due to the practices of fodder based livestock production system adopted by the farmers.
• The major fodder crops grown in dairy areas are oat (Avena sativa), berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) and Teosinte (Eucleana mexicana) in Nepal. Due to the season bound fodder production and relatively low fodder yield, theses varieties are lacking to meet the demand of quality fodder. Compared to the common fodder crops, the CFSH-30 have added advantage that produces quality fodder in high quantity on year round basis especially in milk-shed areas of Nepal and because of its high nutritive value, CFSH-30 substitutes the high cost of concentrated feed.
• To promote forage based livestock development programme the potential demand of forage seed is 1,062 ton annually (TLDP, 2002). The present status of forage seed production is quite low. Pande (1997) estimated that annual production of forage seed is about 55 ton in which 50 mt is shered by annual fodder like oat, berseem and teosinte. Similalry, National Seed Board, MOA estimated that in 2001 the total seed production was 73 ton in which 69 ton was annual fodder (NSB, 2001)

Testing and expansion of Canadian Forage Sorghum Hybrid in Nepal
Introduction of CFSH-30
The Canadian Forage Sorghum Hybrid -30 also known as Canadian Forage Sudan Hybrid (CFSH-30) has been developed in AERC, Canada, and widely grown in Canada, USA, New Zealand, India and other parts of world (AERC, 2005, OP Dangi and R Rana 2005; personal communication). The CFSH-30 is high yielding, nutritious, could grow in a wide range of climate on year-round basic are most suitable fodder for dairy animals. It contains 14-15 percent crude protein and could be harvested within 40-50 days of sowing, and gives 2-3 cuttings with the average yield of 6-7 ton DM/ha on an average. The average seed rate varies from 10-15 kg per ha depending on season and conditions of soil moisture. The cultural practices are similar to maize. This fodder is a heavy feeder with higher dose of fertilizer the yield could be maximized. The usual dose of fertilizer is 200 kg of N/ha i.e. 435 kg of Urea/ha should be used (AERC, Inc undated: Canadian Forage Sudan Hybrid (CFSH-30).

NARC studies on CFSH-30
CFSH-30 was first tested by Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Pasture and Fodder Research Division during 2003/04 in different sites e.g. Nepalganj, Bandipur and Tarahara. The green fodder yield was highest in CFSH-30 up to 48.9 ton/ha (NARC, 2004). NARC has highly recommended for dissemination of the technology and practices of CFSH-30 production to the dairy farmers to improve the income and livelihoods by reducing the cost of milk production.

Table- 1: Comparative study of Green Fodder yield (t/ha) at NARC stations
Parameters CFSH-30 CPMH Teosinte
N Dose 0 150 200 250 0 150 200 250 0 150 200 250
1 June 2003 planting
Site
Nepalganj 26.6 66.8 78.9 74.3 25.7 48.7 57.2 57.6 18.4 30.9 54.4 65.0
Bandipur 26.7 27.2 30.8 44.6 17.9 17.3 14.9 26.4 12.6 12.8 19.5 14.7
Tarahara 22.0 24.3 26.0 27.8 22.0 24.0 21.0 21.3 24.0 24.8 26.3 23.5
Mean 25.0 32.64 45.24 48.90 21.87 21.34 35.10 35.10 18.34 22.90 33.4 33.4
1 Sep 2003 planting
Site
Nepalganj 13.20 28.10 37.50 42.90 10.10 21.60 31.60 37.20 7.30 10.40 19.00 22.60
Bandipur 5.40 12.80 17.80 18.50 2.30 4.00 5.40 10.00 4.00 6.80 9.60 12.50
Tarahara 12.30 24.20 36.80 46.50 12.00 13.10 19.00 25.00 13.50 17.00 19.80 28.50
Mean 10.30 21.70 30.70 35.97 8.13 12.90 18.67 24.07 8.27 11.40 16.13 21.20
Note: CPMP-101: Canadian Forage Pearl Millet; CFSH-30: Canadian Forage Sorghum Hybrid

Role of ABTRACO to Promote CFSH-30 at Farmers level
Agri-Business and Trade Promotion Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ABTRACO) is founded in 2000 by a group of professionals and businessmen. ABTRACO stands to forward the mission of cooperative and envisions promoting agribusiness and trade by channelling available resources, skill, capital and technology into productive venture. To promote CFSH-30 for the improvement of livelihoods of the small dairy farmers ABTRACO with the support with CCO/Nepal in collaboration with NARC and DLS has been promoting CFH-30 in 12 districts since 2004/5.

The goal and Objectives
The goal of the project is to contribute in the improvement of the livelihoods of the small dairy farmers in the project districts with the purpose to strengthen and enhance the capabilities to adopt cost effective feeding systems through scaling up of CFSH-30 program on a sustainablee manner. The specific objectives are:

• Strengthening the capabilities of the dairy farmer’s group through technology transfer and scaling-up CFSH-30 programme for the promotion of low cost feeding systems on year round basis to reduce the cost of milk production.
• Promotion of small scale dairy enterprises to create localized markets for dairy products through skill enhancement especially for the women members.
• Empowerment of small dairy farmers group focusing on women members through improved skills on feeds and feeding management, breeding management, improved animal health facilities, insurance of the animals, easy access to credit through revolving fund management, hygienic and quality milk production and product diversification.
• Ensured supply of CFSH-30 to the dairy farmers through the production of seed at local level.

Material and methods
Selection of Districts and Sites
The potential milkshed districts were selected with the consultation of DLS and respective district Livestock Services Office. Altogether 12 districts were selected, eight districts for demonstration plots establishment (Ilam, Jhapa, Sunsari, Chitwan, Lalitpur, Kabhre, Rupandehi and Banke) and mini-kit plots in four districts (Dhanusha, Mahottari, Siraha and Sarlahi).

Table-2: Project districts, VDCs and name of the farmers group
Districts VDCs Group’s name
A. CFSH-30 Demonstration
1. Ilam Ilam Swang Aya Arjan Gai Palan Samuha
2. Jhapa Satasidham Brihat Namuna Gai Palan Samuha, Satisidham
3. Sunsari Inaruwa Bhagawati Mahila Gai Bikash Samuha
4. Chitwan Ratnagar Jiwandhara Milk Producers Cooperatives
5. Lalitpur Lele Deurali Milk Producers Cooperatives
6. Kabhre Madebsthan Umadevi Milk Producers Cooperatives, Kuntabeshi
7. Rupandehi Shankarnagar Siddhartha Milk Producers Copoeratives
8. Banke Prashpur Paraspur Sorghum Producers Groups
B. Additional Program: CFSH-30: Mini kit plot establishment
1. Dhanusha Lalgadh,
Lalgadh CFSH-30 Farmers group, Bengadabar, Lalgadh
Mahendranagar Mahendranagar CFSH-30 Farmers Group, Sakhuwa, Mahendra nagar
Bhuchakrapur Bhuchakrapur CFSH-30 Farmers Group, Bhuchakrapur
Bateshwar Bateshwar CFSH-30 Farmers Group, Bateshwar
Naktajhij Radhpur CFSH-30 Farmers Group, Naktajhij
2. Mahottari Laxminia Laxminia CFSH-30 Farmers Group, Laxminia
Maisthan Maisthan CFSH-30 Farmers Group, Gadhanta, Maisthan
3. Sarlahi Lalbandi Lalbandi CFSH-30 Farmers Group, Lalbandi
4. Siraha Bastipur Ghaletole CFSH-30 Farmers Group, Ghaletole, Bastipur


Arrangement of CFSH-30 seeds:
A total of 1100 kg of CFSH-30 seed delivered on June 2005 from AERC/Summit Seeds, India.

Number and size of demonstartion plots
• Number of plots: Altogether 720 plots were established and each plot comprise of 500 m2 (one kattha),
• Season of sowing: The crops were established in three seasons viz. summer (June/July), winter (October/November) and spring (March/April).
• Seed rate: 10 kg/ha.

Project beneficiaries
The direct project beneficiaries are small farmers involved in milk production business as follows:
• Milk producing farmers (240 members) of eight districts (Kabhrepalanchok, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Sunsari, Jhapa, Ilam, Rupandehi and Banke) of milk-shed areas through CFSH-30 establishment program.
• Milk producers’ farmers (500 members) of four districts (Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi and Siraha) CFSH-30 mini- kit demonstration program.
Implementation method (s) used
• Identifications and selections of the farmers groups using quick appraisals and field observations
• Baseline study of the selected farmer's groups.
• Strengthening of farmers groups through skill development and capacity building of the small dairy farmers on improved livestock management and fodder production.
• Practical /learning by doing Plantation and management of CFSH-30 for fodder based dairy production.
• Participatory monitoring/supervision and reporting of the program.


Table-3: Project Activities and implementation schedule
Activities Methods Period
1. Establishing and strengthening dairy milk producers farmers groups • Secondary data/information collection of the project districts.
• Quick appraisal/survey of the project sites/districts
• Formation of District level Project Coordination Committee
• Finalization of VDCs/sites within the project districts
• Formation of Canadian Fodder Sorghum groups/subgroups
• Baseline/socio-economic survey of the group members April- May, 2005
2. Fodder and livestock group management training. • Preparation of training manual on livestock and fodder production.
• Identification of resource person,
• Organization of training in each district. May-June/July 2005
3. Establishment of Canadian Sorghum Hybrid Plots. • Seed procurement/transportation and storage.
• Preparation of leaflet on CFSH-30 for distribution.
• Finalization of cultivation packages and practices
• Arrangement and distribution of CFSH-30 seeds and fertilizers.
• Identification/selection/layout of the individual plots
• Demonstration and orientation of CFSH-30 plot establishment
• Establishment of CFSH-30 plots in each individual farmer's field.
• Additional program.
• Mini kit distribution of CFSH-30 (500 milk producing farmers) Sowing seasons:
• First: June/July 2005,
• Second: September/October 2005, and
• Last: February/March 2006
4. Sorghum hybrid plantation and management. • Develop management and monitoring tools of sorghum.
• Orientation on plantation, harvesting and techniques on fodder use.
• Analysis and estimation of green matter production and evaluation of fodder quality.
• Compilation of plant performance data/information, analysis and documentation/ reporting. June 2005- March 2006
5. Linkage with district level local partners (CBOs, NGOs, District Level Farmer’s Cooperatives). • Meeting/discussion for linkages/ coordination with GOs (district level District Livestock Service Offices, NARC).
• Linkages with CBOs/NGOs and other similar organizations. April 2005- March 2006
6. Institutional support to EA Equipments supply (e.g. computer).
April 2005- March 2006
7. Project management. Meeting/discussion at central level for program implementation. April 2005- March 2006

Findings
Identification, selection and straightening of the dairy milk producer farmers’ group:
The most potential dairy farmers groups within the districts were selected with the consultation of respective District Livestock Services Office (DLSO) and respective Milk Producers Cooperatives to implement the CFSH-30 plantation programs. The name of the districts and the Milk Producers Cooperatives are as follows:

• Ilam: Swang, Aya Arjan Gai Palan Samuha,
• Jhapa: Satasidham, Brihat Namuna Gai Palan Samuha,
• Sunsari: Inaruwa, Bhagawati Mahila Gai Bikash Samuha,
• Chitwan: Ratnagar, Jiwandhara Milk Producers Cooperative,
• Lalitpur: Lele, Deurali Milk Producers Cooperative,
• Kabhre: Kuntabeshi, Umadevi Milk Producers Cooperative
• Rupandehi: Shankarnagar, Siddhartha Milk Producers Cooperative,
• Banke: Parashpur Sorghum Producers Group.

Fodder and livestock group management training:
Enhanced skill and knowledge on fodder based dairy production by organizing two days training on livestock and fodder production in all eight project districts, which was followed by CFSH-30 plot establishment. In the training some additional topics such as gender and equity in dairy enterprises, poverty alleviation were also included. The resources persons were used from the respective line agencies mainly from DLSO and local NGOs involved in poverty alleviation and gender and equity.
• Training manual developed and distributed among the training participants.
• Two days training on livestock and fodder production and managements were organized in all eight districts (annex-1).
• The resource persons were used from the respective District Livestock Offices and local NGOs (Annex-2).
• There were six theory classes and two practical classes in each training


Table- 4: Number of farmers participated in Livestock Management training
SN Districts Date Total Male Female
A CFSH-30 Plot Establishment
1 Banke 21-22 July 2005 30 23 7
2 Chitwan 30-31 July 2005 30 23 7
3 Ilam 15-16 Sep 2005 30 15 15
4 Jhapa 21-22 July 2005 30 18 12
5 Lalitpur 28-29 Nov 2005 30 15 15
6 Kavrepalanchok 20-21 Dec 2005 30 15 15
7 Rupandehi 23-24 July 2005 30 20 10
8 Sunsari 12-13 Sep 2005 30 30
Total 240 129 111


Establishment of Canadian Sorghum Hybrid Plots:
• Leaflets on Canadian Forage Sorghum Hybrid-30 prepared and distributed among the participants and involved agencies.
• CFSH-30 mini kit packets prepared comprising seeds and fertilizers to distribute among the farmers.
• 120 plots (each comprising 300 sq m (one Katha) of land) established in all eight districts
• The CFSH-30 plot was established in three seasons viz July 2005, October 2005 and June 2006

Table -5: Months and Number of plots established of CFSH-30
SN Districts Plantation
1st 2nd 3rd
1 Banke 15 15 15
2 Chitwan 15 15 15
3 Ilam 15 15 15
4 Jhapa 15 15 15
5 Lalitpur 15 15 15
6 Kavrepalanchok 30 30 30
7 Rupandehi 15 15 15
8 Sunsari 15 15 15
Total 135 135 135

Sorghum hybrid plantation and management
• Develop management and monitoring tools of sorghum.
• Orientation on plantation, harvesting and techniques on fodder use.
• Analysis and estimation of green matter production and evaluation of fodder quality.
• Compilation of plant performance data/information, analysis and documentation/ reporting
Improved management skills of Sorghum Hybrid plantation and management of 180 farmers in six districts completed.
• Management and monitoring tools developed and adopted in four districts for the performance evaluation of sorghum plants and farmers’ feedback.
• Germination and establishment /performance of plant recorded.
• Oriented the farmers on management and use of CFSH-30

Formation of dairy farmers groups for CFSH-30 mini kit plot establishment:
For the wider adoption of CFSH-30, mini kit plot establishment in 500 farmers filed has been proposed in four additional districts (Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi and Siraha). For this dairy farmers group comprising 25 farmers in each groups has been formed.

On-site training on CFSH-30 mini kit plot establishment:
Two representatives from each farmers group were provided training at Regional Agricultural Training Center, Nakatjhij, Janakpur on 19 September 2005. Altogether 45 farmers have participated in the training. It is anticipated that the trained farmers will teach the other group members in cascade model.

Table 6: Numbers of leader farmers participants in CFSH-30 mini kit establishment training
SN Districts Total Male Female
1 Dhanusha 300 160 140
2 Mahottari 100 55 45
3 Sarlahi 50 25 25
4 Siraha 50 23 27
Total 500 263 237

Linkage with district level local partners,
Improved the linkages and coordination with the local partners such as DLSO, CBOs, dairy cooperatives in eight districts has been conducted
Establishment of seed store house at, Mahendranagar, Dhanusha:
To facilitate the seed distribution at field district a field store has been established at Dhanusha.

Supervision and monitoring:
• The chairman and the Project coordinator of ABTRACO participated the Livestock and fodder training program in Chitawan and also visited some of the field sites of Chitawan Banke, Rupandehi districts.
• Field visit and interaction with farmers on performance of CFSH-30 by AERC team: A field visit in two districts viz. Rupandehi and Chitwan was made by AERC team from 17- 24 November 2005 and interaction with farmers on performance, use and scope for the expansion of CFSH-30 program in a wider scale were discussed.

Institutional support:
• Interaction meeting with the support/line agencies organized for coordination and linkages. Similarly, a desk top computer purchased to facilitate the data/information processing, Three (one professional and two field) level staff identified to facilitate the program implementation.

Higher fodder yield:
A preliminary study of CFSH-30 revealed that the CFSH-30 has a bumper yield compared to conventional fodder like oat and berseem. The preliminary study of the estimated green fodder yield was 5 kg/sq.m. Such a high quantity of yield could be due to the late harvest of fodder after maturation. Most of the farmers reported that the CFSH-30 has yielded equal milk production as with concentrated feed and the milk yield increased by 50 percent in most of the lactating animals.

Table- 7: Green fodder yield at different sites (mean green fodder yield of the three crops, kg/sq m)
SN Districts Cutting Mean
I II III
1 Ilam 5.3 4.8 6.2 5.4
2 Jhapa 3.1 4.2 4.8 4.0
3 Chitwan 5.4 5.2 6.7 5.8
4 Sunsari 6.7 6.5 6.9 6.7
5 Dhanusha 5.8 4.9 6.3 5.7
6 Mahottari 5.4 5.1 6.5 5.7
7 Siraha 4.5 4.8 5.7 5.0
8 Sarlahi 6.8 6.1 6.9 6.6
Note: The authentic data from Lalitpur, Kabhre, Rupandehi, Banke could not be available.

The first sowing of CFSH-30 in Lalitpur and Kabhre districts was delayed and the performance of the crop was not very good. Similarly, second and third sowing was also in smaller area so data could not be available. Similarly, the first sowing of CFSH-30 in Rupandehi was delayed and was in low land. The performance of second and third sown CFSH-30 was good in Rupandehi and Banke.

Increased milk yield:
Most of the participating milk producers reported that the milk yield increased at least by 50 percent compared to the conventional feeding.
Substitute of expensive supplementary ration:
Most of the farmers reported that when the CFSH-30 fodder has been fed to the milch cows and buffaloes, they stopped the feeding of supplementary ration which is costly but the usual yield of milk production did not affected. It means that the CFSH-30 can substitute supplementary concentrated ration and could reduce the cost of milk production significantly.
Good health and early heat:
One of the farmers from Siraha commented that the CFSH-30 is very nutritious “Yee Ghans bahut garam chhai”. He reported that after feeding this CFSH-30 to the heifer and milching buffaloes, the animals came heat earlier compared to the previous years.
Year round fodder supply:
The CFSH-30 can be grown on year round basis. During the project period the seed was supplied during July/August, February/March and June/July. Compared to the other annual fodder crop commonly grown in Nepal like oat (Avena sativa) in winter and Teosinte (Euchlaena mexicana) in summer. Most of the farmers are growing this CFSH-30 on rotational basis.
Improved income:
The farmers are very much enthusiastic. The preliminary result indicated the benefit from the cultivation of CFSH-30 and also ensured forage supply has encouraged the farmers to purchase high yield dairy animals, replacing the old and less productive cows.
Review meeting CFSH-30 programme
To review the status of project and discuss the progress and achievements of the project a meeting was held at meeting hall, Department of Livestock Services on 7th June 2007.
Up scaling of CFSH-30:
A preliminary concept proposal developed for scaling up of CFSH-30 project and submitted to CCO for necessary action.
Beneficiaries participation and women involvement
The total participants in the CFSH-30 program are 740 dairy farm families (240 in plot establishment and 500 in mini- kit production). Out of the total participants over 47 percent are women (Table 8).

Table – 8: Numbers of participants and percent of women involvement
SN Districts Total Male Female
A CFSH-30 Plot Establishment
1 Banke 30 23 7
2 Chitwan 30 23 7
3 Ilam 30 15 15
4 Jhapa 30 18 12
5 Lalitpur 30 15 15
6 Kavrepalanchok 30 15 15
7 Rupandehi 30 20 10
8 Sunsari 30 30
Sub-total of A 240 129 111
B Mini kit Plot Establishment
1 Dhanusha 300 160 140
2 Mahottari 100 55 45
3 Sarlahi 50 25 25
4 Siraha 50 23 27
Sub-total of B 500 263 237
Total of A & B 740 392 348

Lessons learned that could be applied to other projects
• Fodder Yield of CFSH-30: A preliminary study of CFSH-30 revealed that the CFSH-30 has a bumper yield compared to conventional fodder like oat and berseem. The preliminary study of the estimated green fodder yield was 5-8 kg/sq. m. Such a high quantity of yield could be due to the late harvest of fodder after maturation.
• Most of the farmers reported that the CFSH-30 has yielded equal milk production as with concentrated feed and the milk yield increased by 50 percent in most of the lactating animals
• Ensured fodder supply encouraged farmers to replaced the low yielding dairy animals with high yielder

Conclusion:
• Compared to the common fodder crops, the CFSH-30 have added advantage that produces quality fodder in high quantity on year round basis especially in milk-shed areas of Nepal and because of its high nutritive value, CFSH-30 substitutes the high cost of concentrated feed.
• Though in small scale, the current undergoing project on CFSH-30 has amply demonstrated that this species of Sorghum can effectively substitute expensive concentrated feed and greatly contribute to reduce cost of ration combined with awareness towards year round fodder cultivation, animal health services and marketing development are some means to develop dairy industries to lead the nation towards the competitive market oriented economy and improved livelihoods of small dairy farmers.

Recommendations:
• Expansion/replication of the program in larger scale.
• Continued supply of seeds on reasonable price to the dairy farmers
• Provision for the production of CFSH-30 locally.
• Promotion of CFSH-30 through national level policy formulation

Acknowledgement
We sincerely acknowledge the funding support of the CCO, Nepal and technical support of AERC, Canada. We thank DR OP Dangi and Dr R Rana.

Reference:
• AERC, 2005, http://www. aerc.foragesorghum.html
• DDC, 2005. http:// www. Dairydev.com.np
• Pande, RS 2004. Ensuring forage suppl from Nepal’s Community Forests. APANEWS, Asia-pacific Agro-forestry Newsletter, No. 25 December 2004.
• NPC,2002. National Planning Commission, HMG/Nepal
• Pande, RS 1994 Livestock feeds and Grassland Development in Nepal (Nepali), National Forage and grassland research Centre, PO Box 10245, Kathmandu
• Pande, RS 1997 Fodder and Pasture Development in Nepal, Udaya Research and Development Services, Sanepa, Nepal.
• Pande, RS 2005 “Pro-poor Community Forage Production Programme in the NACRMLProject, Nepal”, Proceedings of the Workshop on Fodder Oats, TCP/NEP/2901, FAO 8-11 March 2005.

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