The Fodder Grass Museum in Thiruvananthapuram showcases different varieties of fodder grass and fodder crops

It may seem strange to call it a small plot that grew with grass. However, a half -acre land parcel in the State Feed Farm Office in the Governor of the Governor in Thiruvananthapuram is actually one. Feed museum, which grows different feed grass, feeding for animal husbandry. The feed farm and museum comes to the Milk Development Department.

There are more than 20 types of feed here, and this includes those grown/grown on the feed farm, a few kilometers away from the museum. This is the farm operated by one -time state in the state, and from there to feed the milk farmers in the region.

While the feed farm was opened in 1962, the museum was released during the 2014-15 period. Varieties are added and added when the new hybrid grass is released. “Farmers and other stakeholders who participate in our training programs visit the museum,” says State Fodder Farm Deputy Director/Farm President Fahad M.

“Money grass and guinea grass were among the previous varieties grown on the farm. Finally, it was replaced with high -efficiency hybrid herbs.

Thiruvananthapuram in the workplace at the workplace at the workplace at the workplace in the workplace in the workplace. Photo Loan: Nirmal Harindran

Signal grass and Congo signal grass, both of which are of East African origin, Setaria, Gamba grass, claylikulam, thumboormuzhi and so on. They are not commercially grown because they are not highly efficient varieties. Farmers prefer the types of grass that are quickly renewed, with more protein content and therefore provide more milk.

Hybrid varieties were developed by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore. The dominant Bajra Napier is Napier Grass with variants such as Bajra Napier Hybrid grass, Bajra (pearl millet) and CO3, CO4, CO5 and CO6 (Coimbatore). “While the examples of the four are in the museum, we planted CO5 in a small area, Faha said Fahad.

Super Napier and Red Napier, the other two hybrids in the museum, as well as being raised in a small area on the farm. “It has become extremely popular among farmers because of their quality, Fa says Fahad. The latest additions in the Museum are the dwarf Napier and Australia Red Napier, a kind of Co3.

A worker at the State Feed Farm in the Governor of the Governor in Thiruvananthapuram | Photo Loan: Nirmal Harindran

Kerala Agriculture University, Sugun, Supria and Susthira developed three types of feed grass, and the first two examples of the museum. “We are trying to bring Susthira,” he says.

In addition to these feed plants, feed trees such as Agathi, Drumstick and Subabul and Stylosanthes are grown in a feed legume and museum.

Fahad, feed museums are generally established in universities, he added. This includes the Agricultural College in Vellani in Thiruvananthapuram, which was released in 2020.

Bait grass is loaded into a mini truck from the state feed farm in the Governor of the Governor in Thiruvananthapuram | Photo Loan: Nirmal Harindran

Meanwhile, a reason for the concern for the milk department is the shrinkage of the feed farm over the years. From 131 acres, the parts of the farm were reduced to nine acres after being given to various state departments and institutions. A recent example is eight acres for Prathyasha, a flat complex for 332 fishermen within the scope of the Punargeham program.

The department gives sections from their properties, provided that alternative land is provided. However, this promise has not yet been fulfilled.

“There is a great demand for feed grass from all over the district, but we cannot meet it because of the desire for a place, Fa says FAAD. It is supplied to milk farmers in areas such as grass, menamkulam, manacud, konjiravila, maruthooorkadavu, karumam, vishinjam.

Fahad, “3,600 kilograms of grass are sold every day, so each 10 kilograms of 360 bundles. Directly from the buyers per kilogram 3 LA 3 LA 3 per kilogram per kilogram.

The cut starts every day until 6 in the morning and 12 noon is packaged. Fourteen workers work here. “The grass needs to be cut 15 cm from the ground. It takes 30-35 days to grow again,” Fahad explains. Sewerage water is used for irrigation from the nearby sewage treatment plant.

The people can visit the museum and the farm at the working hours of the feed farm office. Contact: 0471-2501706

Published – 06 October 2025 10:00 IST