Bengaluru, 9 September 2026: Karnataka Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has set a target to establish 12,000 Azolla production units across all 31 districts during 2026-27 as part of an effort to improve the availability of nutritious supplementary feed for livestock.
Programme will cover 240 taluks across the State, with a total financial allocation of ₹3.78 crore. Each Azolla unit will have a unit cost of ₹3,150. Department has directed district authorities to identify suitable beneficiaries and implement the programme at the taluk level and, where necessary, at the gram panchayat level.
Why Azolla?
According to the department, Azolla can serve as a locally available supplementary source of feed, particularly for milk-producing livestock. Initiative is aimed at addressing situations in which farmers face shortages or fluctuations in the availability of green fodder, including during periods of inadequate rainfall.
Azolla contains protein, minerals and other nutrients, and can be incorporated into livestock feed in appropriate quantities as a supplementary feed source. Department has also highlighted the advantage of producing Azolla close to the farmer's home or cattle shed. An Azolla unit can be established in a relatively small area where water is available. Technical specification mentioned in the department's circular provides for a unit of approximately 10 feet by 4 feet, with a depth of about 1 foot.
450 units for Dakshina Kannada
Dakshina Kannada has been allocated 450 Azolla units for 2026-27, covering all nine taluks in the district. At ₹3,150 per unit, the district's allocation works out to ₹14.17 lakh. Target places Dakshina Kannada alongside districts such as Chikkamagaluru and Mysuru, which have also been allocated 450 units each. Highest district-wise target has been assigned to Belagavi with 750 units, followed by Vijayapura with 650 and Uttara Kannada with 600 units.
Farmers to receive technical guidance
Department has instructed officials to give priority to livestock owners who have a suitable location and adequate water facilities for maintaining an Azolla unit.
Units are to be established, as far as possible, near the livestock shed or farmer's house. Beneficiaries will also receive training and technical guidance on Azolla production, harvesting, cleaning, processing and its use as supplementary livestock feed. Department has emphasised the need for scientific training in Azolla production and feed management so that farmers can use the supplementary feed appropriately.
Small space, local feed source
One of the main advantages of the programme is that Azolla production does not require a large area. A relatively small unit near a cattle shed can provide farmers with an additional source of green, nutrient-rich feed. For dairy farmers, the department sees this as particularly useful during periods when green fodder becomes scarce or expensive.
However, Azolla is being promoted as a supplementary feed and not as a complete replacement for balanced livestock nutrition. Farmers will need to follow the technical guidance provided by veterinary and animal husbandry officials regarding production, harvesting, preparation and feeding.
Statewide target
The 12,000-unit programme has been distributed across all 31 districts based on district-wise and taluk-wise targets.
The allocation includes:
- Belagavi: 750 units
- Vijayapura: 650 units
- Uttara Kannada: 600 units
- Kalaburagi: 550 units
- Bagalkot: 500 units
- Tumakuru: 500 units
- Chikkamagaluru: 450 units
- Dakshina Kannada: 450 units
- Mysuru: 450 units
- Chikkaballapur: 400 units
- Bidar: 400 units
- Dharwad: 400 units
- Hassan: 400 units
- Haveri: 400 units
- Raichur: 400 units
- Gadag: 350 units
- Koppal: 350 units
- Mandya: 350 units
- Shivamogga: 350 units
- Udupi: 350 units
Remaining districts have been assigned targets ranging from 200 to 300 units. For Karnataka's livestock farmers, the initiative represents a relatively low-cost approach to producing a supplementary feed source locally, particularly in areas where seasonal fodder shortages can affect dairy and livestock management.
Keywords: Karnataka Azolla units, Azolla cattle feed, Dakshina Kannada Azolla, livestock fodder Karnataka, Animal Husbandry Karnataka, Azolla production units, Citizen News Puttur