Distribution of UMM blocks to farmers begins

TANUVAS launches UMMB distribution to boost livestock productivity in Cauvery Delta, benefiting 300 farmers with innovative feed technologies.

The Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) has launched the distribution of Urea Molasses Mineral Blocks (UMMB) in the State, aiming to benefit 300 farmers in the Cauvery Delta region and boost livestock productivity.

The programme, held on Friday at the Veterinary University Training and Research Centre (VUTRC) in Nagapattinam, provided supplemental feed blocks to 75 livestock farmers as part of its initial rollout.

This initiative is part of the project titled “Augmentation of Livestock Productivity through Enrichment of Crop Residues in the Eastern Cauvery Delta Region,” a collaboration between TANUVAS and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). It aims to improve milk production through innovative feed technologies such as UMMB and urea-enriched paddy straw.

UMMB, a cost-effective feed supplement made from rice bran, molasses, mineral mixtures, and binders, increases milk production by 10-15% while improving rumen health. Designed by the University Innovation and Instrumentation Centre in Chennai, each block provides nutrition for 3-4 days. Urea-enriched paddy straw enhances digestibility and cellulose bioavailability, boosting milk yield by 10-12%.

At the event, V. Appa Rao, Director of Extension Education, TANUVAS, released the feed blocks and distributed them to farmers. The programme also featured A. Gopala Kannan, Programme Coordinator of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sikkal, and M. Vinothini, Assistant Professor at VUTRC. Led by C. Suresh, Head of VUTRC, the initiative is expected to expand its reach in the coming weeks to achieve its goal of supporting 300 farmers in the region.