Back B. K. Dahal
Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Rampur Campus, Chitwan, Nepal
Full Paper (PDF File: 221KB)
Abstract
Potential of EM in agriculturally dominated Nepal is high where livestock
is an integral part the of agricultural system and plays an important role
in the nutrition and economy of the people. The role of EM to enhance production,
to control malodor and to induce immune response against diseases seems
promising. To evaluate the effect of EM on production and health of broilers
and the economical feasibility of its use in broiler farming, two demonstration
trials were conducted in 1997 and 1999 at a village farm and Institute
of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) livestock farm respectively. Another
trial was conducted at IAAS livestock farm to see the effect of EM on growth
performance of goat in 1997. Further, a demonstration trial on use of EM
in the pigsty was conducted at a village farm in 1998. The results of trials
on broilers indicated that EM promoted growth, improved health, reduced
cost of production and controlled malodor in the farms. Out of different
methods of EM applications (EM solution through drinking water, EM Bokashi
through feed and both of them) tested, EM solution through drinking water
was found to be cost effective and labour saving. In goat, the body weight
gain was highest with feed mixed with 10 % EM Bokashi as compared to 5
% and control. In pigsty, EM effectively controlled malodor resulting in
a healthy and socially acceptable environment. The economic analysis of
using EM in broilers indicated that EM was a cheaper product and could
be used profitably in broiler farming.