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Cumbu Napier hybrid grass COCN4, Fodder Sorghum COFS29 and Hedge lucerne fodder crops were cultivated for fodder seed/slip production under a scheme implemented at Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli during 2017-18 and 2018-19. A total of 707640 nos. of COCN4 stem cuttings (slips) and 2060 kg of COFS29 and Hedge lucerne seeds were produced and distributed to 2769 farmers during the scheme period. Dairy farmers (78.73%) constituted the majority of the beneficiaries. An estimated 151.01 ha of additional land was brought under fodder cultivation utilising the distributed seeds/slips with a projected increase in production of 15,744 MT of green fodder during the scheme period. The cost economics was also in favour of fodder seed production with the highest Benefit Cost ratio observed for Cumbu Napier hybrid grass COCN4 (1.29), followed by Fodder Sorghum COFS29 (0.87) and Hedge lucerne (0.65).

Keywords: Cumbu Napier hybrid grass, Fodder Sorghum, Hedge lucerne, Seeds/slips, Benefit Cost ratio