KOTTAYAM: Kottayam Kodungoor Dairy Co-operative Society started green fodder grass cultivation to help dairy farmers who struggled to get fodder during Covid outbreak. Now the initiative earns lakhs as income. Under the leadership of Secretary VN Manoj, four acres of land near Kodungoor junction was cleared and grass was planted. The cost was Rs 3 lakh and the government subsidy was Rs 93,000. Two workers were appointed to take care of it.

The grass was fully grown in 45 days. The investment, including wages, was returned. Now they earn Rs 2,40,000 every three months. Market price is up to Rs. 5 per kg. To farmers who provide milk to the group, grass will be given for Rs 2 and to outsiders for Rs 4. Several people approaches to buy grass for elephants and horses other than cows.

The maximum cost for planting grass in one acre is Rs. 75,000. Over 20,000 will be subsidized by the Dairy Department. Within 50-60 days 15,000 kg fodder will be grown. It can be cut up to four times a year. The recurring cost is for maintenance and fertilizer only.

'The fastest growing species are CO3, CO4, CO5 and Super natier. With a little care, one can make good profit without much expenditure. No need to worry about being destroyed by natural disasters.' says VN Manoj, Kodungoor Dairy Co-operative Society Secretary.