Silage production revolutionizing livestock farming in merged districts of KP

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Jun, 2026) Silage production in the Merged Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is revolutionizing local livestock farming by preserving green fodder, primarily maize, ensuring affordable, high-quality nourishment for cattle and mitigating feed shortages during harsh winters.

Due to collaborative efforts of Livestock and Agriculture departments, local farmers in merged districts have embarked on a journey toward self-sufficiency in livestock feed production.

“The initiative has been taken under Integrated Livestock in Merged Areas initiative of Livestock and Dairy Development Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” said Dr. Kamran, Senior Veterinary Officer, Livestock Department KP.

This cost-sharing project provides farmers with training and resources to produce their own silage and raise commercial livestock. The initiative promises not only to bolster their finances but also to empower them to profit from selling surplus produce in the market.

“Previously, farmers had to source silage from the distant Punjab market, incurring additional expenses and logistical challenges.

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However, the winds of change have blown in our favour,” says Farman Jan, a dairy farmer in Bajaur district.

Farman shared that farmers in Bajaur successfully manufactured over 250 tons of fodder in a single year, highlighting a major push towards self-sufficiency.

Local farmers have slashed feed costs from Rs. 26 to about Rs. 12–16 per kilogram, registering almost 100 percent reduction in cost of dairy feed.

The silage is prepared in summer months, and it utilized as vital winter animal feed. Its value is manifold, as it offers farmers a means of preserving excess maize while ensuring their livestock receive the nutrition they need during colder seasons.

Farman said Livestock officials train farmers about silage production procedure and keep on visiting the farms to check the quality of prepared and stocked feed.

Better nutrition is directly benefiting in improved milk production and calf fattening outcomes while ensuring a consistent feed supply during the dry and cold winter months when green grass is unavailable, he remarked.