Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Yojana: Seasonal Fodder Cultivation During Kharif & Rabi Season

The scheme “Seasonal Fodder Cultivation During Kharif & Rabi Season” was launched by the Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Odisha, Cuttack, under Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Yojana (MKY). It aims to promote the cultivation of seasonal fodder among livestock farmers in all 30 districts of Odisha. Through this scheme, high-quality seasonal fodder seed minikits are supplied free of cost to eligible farmers for Kharif and Rabi seasons to enhance year-round availability of nutritious green fodder. The scheme is implemented by the Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Odisha, through the Chief District Veterinary Officers and OMFED. A total of 2,00,000 minikits are targeted for distribution, with 1,20,000 minikits during the Kharif season and 80,000 minikits during the Rabi season. Each minikit is designed to cover 0.25 acres of land, and a single farmer can avail a minimum of 1 minikit and up to 20 minikits covering a maximum area of 5 acres. The scheme seeks to improve dairy productivity, reduce the cost of milk production, encourage scientific fodder cultivation techniques, and reduce dependency on external feed sources.

Objectives

1. To promote the cultivation of seasonal fodder among livestock farmers in all 30 districts of Odisha.
2. To ensure a timely and free supply of high-quality fodder seed minikits to eligible farmers for the Kharif and Rabi seasons.
3. To enhance year-round availability of nutritious green fodder and reduce dependency on external feed sources.
4. To improve dairy productivity and reduce the cost of milk production by supporting balanced nutrition for milch animals.
5. To encourage the adoption of scientific fodder cultivation techniques.

1. Availability of high-quality seasonal fodder seed kits (Maize & Cowpea for Kharif, Oats & Berseem for Rabi season) is free of cost.
2. Support to the farmers with quality fodder seed in two crop growing seasons to cover from 0.25 acres up to 5 acres per farmer (20 kits @ 0.25 acre per kit)
3. Improved productivity of milch animals through feeding of 20-25 kg fresh green fodder daily.
4. Potential to sell surplus green fodder to neighboring farmers, enhancing local fodder availability.
5. Reduction in dependency on external fodder and commercial feed inputs.
6. Scope to store excess grass in silage form for use during dry or lean fodder periods.

Minikit Compositions and Fodder Coverage

1. The minikits will be procured from National Seeds Corporation and other certified agencies of Govt of India and distributed to the dairy farmers of each block.
2. The minikit will contain different seeds based on the season:

- Kharif season: 3 kg maize seed (1 pkt) & 1 kg cowpea seed (1 pkt).
- Rabi season: 3 kg Oats seed (1 pkt) and 1 kg Berseem seed (1 pkt).

1. Each minikit shall also contain a leaflet in 'Odia' with technical and operational details on seasonal fodder cultivation methodology, along with the benefits of the same.
2. One minikit is designed to cover 0.25 acres of land, and a single farmer can avail a minimum of 1 minikit and up to 20 minikits, covering a maximum area of 5 acres.

Mode of Disbursement

• Seeds are physically distributed free of cost through Milk Unions and Departmental channels.

Frequency of Distribution

• Kharif Season – Distribution by 15th June.
• Rabi Season – Distribution by 15th October.

1. The applicant must be a resident/domicile of Odisha.
2. The applicant must be a dairy farmer having livestock, land, and be interested in fodder cultivation to be eligible for the scheme.
3. For the Rabi season, the applicant must have assured irrigation facilities on the selected land.
4. Each applicant must use the minikit solely for the purpose of fodder cultivation and not for resale or directly feeding seeds to cattle.
5. The applicant can only avail a minimum of one and a maximum of twenty minikits, corresponding to 0.25 to 5.00 acres of cultivation area.
6. Priority shall be given to Milk Unions, Goshalas, Departmental Farms, SHGs, VSS, and JLGs in the first round of allocation, and balance kits shall be distributed to the remaining interested farmers through departmental field staff.

Offline

Step 1: The Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services finalizes district-wise physical targets for Kharif and Rabi seasons as per Annexure-I(A) & Annexure-II(B) and communicates them to districts for implementation.
Step 2: The GM of the concerned Milk Union prepares an MPCS-wise list of eligible dairy farmers and submits it to the CDVO. The District Fodder Development Committee, under the Chairmanship of CDVO, finalizes the beneficiary list based on district targets, giving priority to Milk Unions, Goshalas, Departmental Farms, SHGs, VSS, and JLGs. The approved list is shared with BVOs, SDVOs, and Milk Unions and submitted to the Directorate as per Annexure-II.
Step 3: Minikits are procured from National Seeds Corporation and other certified Government of India agencies. They are received at district storage points (Milk Union/Departmental stores) by 31st May (Kharif) and 30th September (Rabi). The original Stock Entry Certificate, countersigned by the CDVO, must be submitted to the Directorate within 7 days of receipt.
Step 4: Minikits are distributed to selected farmers by 15th June (Kharif) and 15th October (Rabi). One minikit covers 0.25 acre and a farmer may receive 1 to 20 minikits (0.25 to 5 acres). Receipts from recipient institutions or verification through the Seed Stock Register are maintained at the district level.
Step 5: ₹50/- per kit is allotted to CDVO towards transportation and related expenses. All transport expenses must be supported by vouchers, abstracts, and payment certificates countersigned by the GM of Milk Union. Expenditure is settled using OGFR-7A forms, and Utilization Certificates must be submitted within 30 days. Logistic expenditure for the Kharif and Rabi seasons must be maintained separately.
Step 6: Germination tests for all seed varieties are conducted at the district level, and reports are submitted to the Directorate along with the Stock Entry Certificate. At least five crop cuttings per seed variety are conducted over one square meter plots to assess the average green fodder yield per acre.
Step 7: All distribution data must be uploaded to the Decision Support System (DSS) portal. Milk Unions upload OMFED-distributed kits, and BVO offices upload departmental distributions. Weekly data entry is mandatory by Friday or Saturday and monitored by the CDVO.
Step 8: BVOs and MPCS Route Supervisors validate at least 10% of distributions fortnightly. CDVOs and Milk Union GMs validate at least 5% fortnightly. Para-veterinary and fodder staff trained at CIWA Bhubaneswar support field implementation and monitoring.

Note:

1. Annexure-I (A & B): District-wise physical targets for Kharif and Rabi seasons.
2. Annexure-II: Approved beneficiary list submission format.
3. Annexure-III: Proforma for beneficiary list including Aadhaar, category (Gen/SC/ST), area, and proposed number of kits.
4. The annexures are given in the guidelines document, and the applicant does not have to fill any out.
   

Annexure-III requires the following beneficiary details:

1. Aadhaar Card

• Aadhaar Number
• Name of the beneficiary/applicant
• Address (Village, GP, Block)
• Gender

1. Category (General / SC / ST)
2. Contact Number
3. Area to be put under seasonal fodder (in acres)