**Executive Summary**
On April 22, 2026, ICAR-KVK North Goa conducted a method demonstration on scientific silage preparation at Sal Village, Bicholim Taluka, to promote fodder conservation as an entrepreneurial activity. The program aimed to address recurring summer fodder shortages and improve livestock productivity through hands-on training for local dairy farmers. A total of 15 farmers participated in the event, resulting in the production of two tonnes of silage.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Technical Process of Silage Preparation**
* **Fodder Selection:** Maize fodder should be selected at the milky to dough stage for optimal quality.
* **Processing:** The process involves proper chaffing size and the systematic arrangement of inner and outer liners.
* **Layering and Additives:** Chaffed maize fodder is filled layer-wise and treated with salt and silage culture.
* **Anaerobic Conditions:** Proper compaction is required to maintain anaerobic conditions, followed by vacuum removal and secure sealing.
* **Storage and Usage:** Farmers were briefed on storage precautions and scientific feeding methods for cattle and goats to enhance productivity.
**Agronomic and Entrepreneurial Benefits**
* **Cultivation Practices:** Improved agronomic practices for maize cultivation were shared to ensure higher yields and better fodder quality for silage.
* **Entrepreneurship:** Silage making is highlighted as a viable entrepreneurial activity that enables efficient utilization of surplus fodder.
* **Seasonal Feed Security:** Silage serves as a critical alternative for year-round feed availability, particularly during the summer when green fodder is limited in Goa.
**Impact Analysis**
**Dairy Farmers**
**Impact**
Farmers gain access to a practical, scientific model for fodder conservation, which helps mitigate feed shortages during the summer and improves overall livestock productivity. The program also identifies silage making as a potential business opportunity for utilizing surplus crops.
**Action Required**
Farmers are encouraged to adopt scientific silage preparation techniques, implement improved agronomic practices for maize cultivation, and utilize silage as a year-round feed source for their livestock.
Key Entities Referenced
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), North Goa: The specific agricultural extension center that conducted the method demonstration and entrepreneurship development program on fodder conservation.
Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI): The primary research institute that facilitated the scientific demonstration to address green fodder shortages and improve livestock productivity.
Silage Preparation: The scientific fodder conservation technique promoted as a viable entrepreneurial activity to ensure year-round feed availability for livestock.
Sal Village, North Goa: The central location where the hands-on demonstration and training for local dairy farmers were conducted.
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
ICAR-CCARI, KVK North Goa conduct method
demonstration on scientific fodder conservation
through silage preparation
Posted On: 24 APR 2026 3:49PM by PIB Mumbai
Goa, 24 April 2026
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, North Goa,
conducted a method demonstration on silage preparation as an entrepreneurship development
program at Sal Village, Bicholim Taluka, North Goa, on April 22, 2026.
At the program, Dr. S. V. Udharwar, SMS (Animal Science), provided a hands-on demonstration
to dairy farmers on scientific silage preparation. He explained the complete process, including
selection of maize fodder at the milky to dough stage, proper chaffing size, arrangement of
inner and outer liners, layer-wise filling of chaffed maize fodder with salt and silage culture, and
thorough compaction to maintain anaerobic conditions. He also demonstrated vacuum removal,
proper sealing, storage precautions, and the scientific feeding of silage to cattle and goats for
better livestock productivity. Dr. Udharwar said that silage serves as an excellent alternative
during the summer season when green fodder availability becomes limited in Goa.
Mr. Rahul Kumar, SMS (Agronomy), guided the farmers on improved agronomic practices for
maize fodder cultivation to ensure higher yield and better fodder quality for silage preparation.
A total of two tonnes of silage was prepared during the programme, which also had discussions
on the scope of silage making as a viable entrepreneurial activity for farmers, enabling efficient
utilization of surplus fodder and ensuring year-round feed availability for livestock. Considering
the recurring shortage of green fodder during summer, the demonstration served as a practical
model for dairy farmers and encouraged the adoption of scientific fodder conservation practices.
A total of 15 farmers participated in the programme.
* * *
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