November 14, 2022

Punjab, India to supply Kerala with paddy straw for livestock fodder use

The Animal Husbandry Minister of Punjab, India, Laljit Singh Bhullar, had assured Kerala of providing paddy straw to the state for livestock fodder.

He said the move would help Punjab deal with the excess paddy straw.

Kerala Animal Husbandry Minister J. Chinchurani, who was leading a 21-member delegation here, said dairying is the main livelihood activity in the state, and is the primary source of income for dairy farmers there, according to a state government release.

Kerala ranks second in milk production after Punjab, she said, adding that over the last few years, the high cost of feeding animals has adversely affected the economic viability of the dairy sector.

"If the unused and unwanted paddy straw is transported to Kerala using the Kisan rail project as announced by the Union government, it will benefit a large number of dairy farmers in our state," Chinchurani said.

Describing the initiative as a win-win situation for both states, Bhullar said that the Bhagwant Mann government is ready for all possible cooperation in the matter, and will iron out the rest of the details of the pact in due course.

- The Hindu