The Silage Board has revised its sales arrangement so livestock owners with more than 5 milch animals can purchase silage through the committee, even if they were previously excluded from the subsidy benefit. The change is intended to improve access to nutritious animal feed.

Under the earlier arrangement, silage was sold through committees at 3.60 rupees per kilogram. The revised system will also encourage sales at the private rate, which is more than 9 rupees per kilogram.

Incentive for private-rate sales

Buyers purchasing silage at the private rate will receive an incentive of about 30 paise per kilogram. Earlier, committees selling fodder at the government-approved rate received the incentive. The new arrangement extends encouragement to sales made at the private rate as well.

The change is relevant to livestock owners with more than 5 milch animals who could not previously receive the subsidy-linked benefit. They can now buy silage through the committee at the applicable open-market rate.

Subsidy and bag sizes

Kushalanath, the state director of the Silage Production and Marketing Cooperative Union, said the government currently provides a 60 percent subsidy on silage.

The weight of a silage bag varies by region. In hilly areas, bags generally weigh about 25 to 30 kilograms. In the plains, the weight is more than 80 kilograms.

The revised arrangement therefore creates 2 stated sales routes: the earlier subsidised committee rate and purchases at the private rate, where the buyer is eligible for an incentive of about 30 paise per kilogram. The available information does not specify the date on which the revised arrangement will take effect.

Conclusion

The Silage Board has opened committee-based silage purchases to livestock owners with more than 5 milch animals and will now support private-rate sales with an incentive of about 30 paise per kilogram. The government continues to provide a 60 percent subsidy on silage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who can now purchase silage through the committee?

Livestock owners with more than 5 milch animals can now purchase silage through the committee, including those who previously did not receive the subsidy benefit.

Q. What was the earlier committee sales price?

Silage was previously sold through committees at 3.60 rupees per kilogram.

Q. What incentive is available for private-rate purchases?

Buyers purchasing silage at the private rate will receive an incentive of about 30 paise per kilogram.

Q. What is the current government subsidy on silage?

The government currently provides a 60 percent subsidy on silage.

Q. How much do silage bags weigh in different regions?

Silage bags weigh about 25 to 30 kilograms in hilly areas and more than 80 kilograms in the plains.