Azolla Cultivation

Mamta Khamari’s Path to Livestock Nutrition and Community Empowerment

In Uania village, Mamta Khamari has become an inspiring example of how simple, sustainable practices can transform livestock care and support community well-being. For the past three years, Mamta has been cultivating azolla, a water fern with remarkable nutritional benefits, in her backyard. This innovative approach, introduced by Nydhee, has significantly improved the health of her goats, especially during the critical maternity period, while also benefiting the broader community.

Introduction to Azolla Cultivation

Azolla is a floating fern known for its high protein content and rapid growth. It is an excellent feed supplement for livestock, particularly for goats and poultry, providing essential nutrients that are often missing from their regular diet. Recognizing the potential of azolla as a low-cost, high-nutrition feed, Nydhee introduced this practice to several households in Uania village, including Mamta’s.

Nydhee provided the necessary training and materials to start the cultivation process, including a plastic sheet tank that can be installed easily in a sunny area of the backyard. For Mamta, this was the beginning of a new chapter in her journey towards improved livestock management and economic independence.

Benefits of Azolla for Livestock

Mamta uses the azolla by making a paste and mixing it with the regular fodder she feeds her goats. Azolla is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, making it a perfect supplement for pregnant and lactating goats. During the maternity period, the nutritional demand of goats increases significantly, and providing adequate nutrition is crucial for the health of both the mother and the newborns.

Before she started using azolla, Mamta often struggled to provide her goats with the necessary nutrition, which sometimes led to weak offspring and slower recovery times for the mother goats. Since incorporating azolla into their diet, she has noticed a significant improvement in the overall health and productivity of her goats. Her goats now have shinier coats, more energy, and better immunity, reducing the incidence of diseases.

In the last two years, Mamta has seen a steady increase in the birth rate and survival of the kids. Her goats are now healthier, and the mortality rate has dropped dramatically, contributing to a steady income from the sale of goats. This extra income has allowed her to improve her family’s living conditions, and she now has more financial security than before.

Sharing with the Community

What makes Mamta’s story truly inspiring is her commitment to sharing the benefits of azolla cultivation with others. She regularly shares azolla with other households in her village, many of whom have seen similar improvements in the health of their livestock. In this way, azolla cultivation has not only helped her own goats but has also become a community-wide effort to improve livestock care. Mamta often encourages her neighbours to start cultivating azolla themselves, and many households have followed suit. Some have even invested their own money to build cement tanks for azolla cultivation, realizing the long-term benefits of having a reliable, nutritious feed source for their animals. These cement tanks are more durable and can last for several years, providing a constant supply of azolla.

The Role of Nydhee in Supporting Azolla Cultivation

Nydhee has played a crucial role in making azolla cultivation accessible to rural households like Mamta’s. The organization provided the initial materials, such as plastic sheet tanks, and conducted training sessions to ensure that households could successfully cultivate and manage the azolla. These tanks are relatively easy to install and maintain, requiring only a bright, sunny location and regular maintenance to keep the azolla growing.

In addition to the material support, Nydhee has been instrumental in raising awareness about the nutritional benefits of azolla, particularly during livestock’s critical periods like maternity. The organization’s ongoing support, through follow-up visits and additional training, has helped Mamta and other households optimize their livestock management practices.