Somnath: During the countdown event to International Day of Yoga at Somnath, Gujarat, Shri Parshottam Rupala, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, launched NDDB-developed products ‘Shishu Sanjeevni’ and ‘Sardar Sudhan’.

Shishu Sanjeevni is a fortified nutritional supplement containing micronutrient requirements as per guidelines of National Institute of Nutrition and Food and Agriculture Organisation. It is specially prepared for children in the age group of 3-6 years.

Sardar Sudhan is cow dung based organic manure with high phosphorus content and has all major nutrients to improve soil health and its microbial count. This also helps increase crop yield and thereby adds to the farmers income.

During the Launch the Hon’ble minister said “Along with Yoga Day, NDDB has launched two things. One of these includes distribution of a healthy ladoo which is a fortified nutritional supplement for malnourished children. I urge all the temples for support that such healthy laddoos must be distributed in the nearby areas of the temples among malnourished children as prasad,” said Shri Rupala.

Speaking on Sardar Sudhan, Shri Rupala said, “Organic farming is the need of the hour. Rampant and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has eroded the natural nutrients of the soil. To nourish the soil, farmers need to use organic fertilizers. Cow-based agriculture is very important for soil conservation. Institutions like NDDB and GSFC must work together to achieve this.”

In his address, Shri Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB, said, “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. Taking our collaboration with Gujarat State Fertilizers Limited forward, we are launching this bio slurry based organic manure, Sardar Sudhan.” He further added that “NDDB will also extend partnership to all such dairy cooperatives and milk producer institutions who will work with dairy farmers to set-up biogas plants and produce dung gas slurry-based biofertilizers.”

He also said “Shishu Sanjeevni is expected to overcome the issue of malnutrition prevalent in children under five years of age. A subsidiary of NDDB has designed the necessary machines and equipment for the commercial production of this product.”