Parshottam Rupala, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Government of India, launched NDDB-developed products 'Shishu Sanjeevni' and 'Sardar Sudhan' at a countdown event to International Day of Yoga in Somnath, Gujarat.
Shishu Sanjeevni is a fortified nutritional supplement that meets the National Institute of Nutrition and Food and Agriculture Organization's micronutrient requirements. It is designed specifically for children aged 3-6 years.
Sardar Sudhan is a cow dung-based organic manure that is high in phosphorus and contains all of the major nutrients needed to improve soil health and microbial count. This also helps to increase crop yield, which increases the farmer's income.
During the launch, the Minister stated, "In addition to Yoga Day, the NDDB has launched two things." One of these is the distribution of a fortified nutritional supplement called ladoo to malnourished children.
"I appeal to all temples for assistance in distributing such healthy laddoos as prasad to malnourished children in the temple's surrounding areas," said Rupala.
"Organic farming is the need of the hour. The widespread and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has depleted the soil's natural nutrients. Farmers must use organic fertilizers to nourish the soil. Soil conservation is critical in cow-based agriculture. To accomplish this, institutions such as the NDDB and the GSFC must collaborate."
"NDDB has been continuously laying emphasis on proper management of cow dung generated from animal husbandry and making it a source of income for farmers," said Meenesh Shah, Chairman of NDDB, in his address.
"NDDB will also extend partnership to all such dairy cooperatives and milk producer institutions that will work with dairy farmers to set up biogas plants and produce dung gas slurry-based biofertilizers," he added.
"Shishu Sanjeevni is expected to overcome the issue of malnutrition prevalent in children under the age of five," he added. The necessary machines and equipment for commercial production of this product have been designed by an NDDB subsidiary."
