Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University here has received a research project worth Rs 12 lakh from Punjab State Council for Science and Technology and NSI for development of “smart fodder” based on paddy straw.
The project will be completed over a period of one year and is expected to generate sustainable feeding technologies for livestock farmers while addressing environmental concerns associated with paddy straw disposal.
Vice-Chancellor JPS Gill congratulated the research team and said the project aligns with the university’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, environmental protection and livestock development. He added scientific use of crop residue can play an important role in addressing stubble burning while creating additional income streams for farmers.
Jujhar Singh Sidhu, principal investigator, said the project is aimed at converting paddy straw into nutritious and safe livestock feed using innovative scientific treatments, helping reduce agricultural waste, aflatoxin contamination and environmental pollution while promoting efficient and eco-friendly livestock farming.
SS Randhawa, director of research, hailed the efforts of the Department of Animal Nutrition and said the project will strengthen translational and field-oriented research in livestock production systems.
JS Hundal, head, Department of Animal Nutrition, said the project will help develop commercially viable technologies for utilising locally available crop residues and promote circular economy approaches in state’s agricultural landscape.
RS Sethi, director, Veterinary and Livestock Innovation and Incubation Foundation (VLIIF), said such innovative projects have significant potential for technology commercialisation, entrepreneurship development and farmer-level adoption.
