Dimension:
The system comprises of raising seasonal legume fodder crops, inter-planted with perennial grasses (hybrid napier / guinea grass). Hybrid Napier based cropping system (Hybrid Napier + (Cowpea - Berseem + Mustard) has green fodder production potential of 273 t/ha and dry fodder potential of 44.3 t/ha per year under assured water supply (water requirement 1090 mm).

Target area:
The system is suitable for large scale dairy farmers in Peri-urban and Milkshed areas of whole India except tropical region

Impact:
Technology can supply round the year good quality fodder (Cereal: legume, 67:33) which can sustain 8-10 ACU per ha (1 ACU= 350 kg bodyweight). The technology is being demonstrated in farmer’s field in Bundelkhand

States suitable for adoption of this technology:
J&K, HP, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand, UP, MP, Maharastra, Bihar, Jhankhand, Odisa (Other than coastal area), CG, Telangana, West Bengal

Crops (Varieties):
NB hybrid (IGFRI-6, 10 and NB 21). Intercrop with Cowpea (BL 1 & 2) during kharif season and Berseem (Wardan, BB 2 7 BB 3) during rabi season.

Sowing/ planting time:
NB hybrid: Mid February – July Cowpea: April –May after the harvest of Berseem Berseem: October

Seed rate and spacing (cm)
NB hybrid: 20000 rooted slips/ha (1 rooted slip per hill) are planted at a spacing of 100 x 50 cm and due to perennial in nature, up to 4-5 years there is no need of further planting and only gap filling and tussock dressing is required) Cowpea: 20-25 kg seed per ha two lines between two rows of N-B hybrid Berseem: 15-20 kg seed per ha should be sown in between two rows of NB hybrid

No. of irrigations:
During spring & summer 8-9 irrigations and a total of 12-15 irrigations: 8-10 days interval during autumn and 12-15 days interval during Spring

Nutrient management
NB hybrid: Basal: 50 + 50 + 50 kg NPK/ha and top dressing: 50 kg N/ha after each cut Cowpea: No separate fertilization is required Berseem: Basal: 20+80 kg NP/ha Harvesting schedule
NB hybrid: 1st cut: 75 – 80 days after planting (DAP) and subsequent cuts: 30– 40 days after previous harvest (DAH) Cowpea: Only one cut: 60-65 days after sowing (DAS) Berseem: 1st cut : 50 – 55 DAS and subsequent cuts: 30 – 35 DAH

Per ha/ per unit cost of production and returns:
Cost of production Rs 29 per quintal green fodder and Net return Rs 1,93,000 per ha with BC ratio of 2.41.

Targeted farmers:
Large scale commercial dairy farmers

Days for which fodder will be available :
Whole year except Oct-Dec. (300-310 days)

Possibility of seed production and quantity:
Some area of berseem after march may be kept for seed production (45-50 kg seed) and 2nd year onward 50,000 nos rooted slips of NB hybrid

Estimated expenditure per demonstration (Specify the unit area of demonstration):
Rs 5000 per 0.20 ha demonstration

Availability of planting material for supply:

• ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi-284003
• Centers of AICRP on forage crops in different SAUs and ICAR Institutes.
• Central and State Agriculture Universities

Other sources like KVKs, BAIF, etc.