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Evaluation of Azolla (Azolla Pinnata) as a poultry feed and its role in poverty
alleviation among landless people in northern plains of India

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Veterinary Practitioner Vol. 13 No. 2 December 2012

EVALUATION OF AZOLLA (AZOLLA PINNATA) AS A POULTRY FEED AND

ITS ROLE IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION AMONG LANDLESS PEOPLE IN
NORTHERN PLAINS OF INDIA
R.B. Rai1*, K. Dhama2, T. Damodaran3, Hamid Ali4, Sweta Rai5, Balvir Singh6 and P. Bhatt7
Division of Pathology
Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh-243 122, India

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to evaluate rural poultry as source of livelihood by reducing the feed cost. The evaluation was
done in 42 villages in 2 districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. Two strains of poultry viz. Nirbhik (dual purpose) and Shyama (eggs) were
evaluated under semi-range system. The Nirbhik birds raised on Azolla pinnata achieved 1810± 12.5 g body weight by 14th week in
comparision with non-azolla fed Nirbhik birds which achieved 1270 ± 12.9 g. The net return per 200 chicks in azolla fed group was
Rs. 42330±20.4. The Shyama birds raised on azolla produced 197.6±3.2 eggs in 72 weeks in comparision of 138.4±3.1 eggs of non-
azolla fed birds. The rural poultry integrated with in situ azolla cultivation was able to provide sustainable livelihood security as well
as income for diversifying the livelihood base under infra-structure constraints rural areas.

Key words: Azolla (Azolla pinnata), poultry

Introduction landless and marginal farmers as they are dependent on the

The poultry industry is one of the most profitable ventures
of agriculture and provides nutritious meat and eggs for human
consumption. The shortest incubation period in harvesting the
benefits and its ability to adopt in all the climates provide it
superiority over the other ventures. In India nearly 30% eggs
and 35% meat is produced by the rural poultry production
system (Khan, 1996). The situation is more or less similar in
other developing countries also. The rapid growth of intensive
poultry production system, mainly comprising broilers and
layers, is dependent on balance feed, quality germplasm,
protected housing and other infra-structural facilities to support
the venture. The availability of quality feed at a reasonable cost
is a key to successful poultry operation (Basak et al., 2002).
FAO programme focuses on increasing the feed base
production systems to locally available feed resources in
developing countries (Sansoucy, 1993). For sustainability of
the venture, it is necessary that the resources are available
locally and competition with human food should be minimal. If
possible there should be a synergy of activities pertaining to
crop and livestock for the purpose (Preston and Murgucitio,
1987).
In developing countries the situation is different and needs
approaches suiting to their socio-economic penury. The majority
of the farmers are resource poor and nearly 80-85% population
is either landless or small land holders. In India, the situation
is more or less similar and the increasing human population
pressure, diminishing cultivable land resources owing to
urbanization etc., lack of initial capital resources, monopolistic
marketing network and lack of awareness make situation more
complex (Rai et al., 2011). The situation is worse with the
1
Principal Scientist and P.I. NAIP-3 Project and corresponding author e-mail: drrbrai@yahoo.co.in
2
Senior Scientist,
3
Senior Scientist, C.S.S.R.I.-R.R.S., Lucknow (U.P.)
4
Senior Research Fellow,
5,6
Research Associate, Division of Pathology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh-243 122, India
7
Assistant Professor, Veterinary Clinics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology,
Pantnagar, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand - 263 145, India
earnings from the meager land available or the wages earned
as agricultural workers in the locality.
To address the situation for providing sustainable livelihood
security and alleviating the poverty level of the families various
interventions were made. Rural poultry production system
comprises open range, semi-range and deep litter system of
rearing in backyards. While deep litter system requires external
inputs, the open range and semi-range systems do not require
external inputs. Under intensive system nearly 60-65% of
recurring expenditure goes for the feed itself. Furthermore, for
producing one kg poultry meat under intensive system it is
estimated that about 200 litres of water is required, and 4 kg
green house gases are produced. The resource poor farmers
are unable to raise the initial capital costs of housing,
equipments and chicks besides the risk involved.
The use of Azolla as a feed resource for pigs and poultry
had been tested with favourable results by us and many
workers (Castillo et al. 1981; Basak et al., 2002; Alalade and
Iyayi, 2006; Singh and Subudhi, 1978). It is a free- floating
fresh water fern belonging to the family Azollaceae. It grows
naturally in stagnant water. Anabaena azollae, living in the
cavity of Azolla leaf, can fix high amount of atmospheric
dinitrogen due to the presence of symbolic algae in the leaves
(Becking, 1979). Azolla grow luxuriously between 15-250 C
temperatures and is rich in protein and the total crude protein
content vary from 22-30% (Basak et al., 2002). The other
constituents in Azolla are minerals, chlorophyll, carotinoids,
amino acids, vitamins etc. Boyd (1968), Subudhi and Singh
(1977) and Maurice et al. (1984) reported that inclusion of
aquatic plants at low levels in poultry diets had shown better
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Veterinary Practitioner Vol. 13 No. 2 December 2012

Table1: Status of annual income (Rupees) from sampled population

Barabanki Raebareli Average
Status Trivediganj Haidergarh Lalganj Sareni & annual
Tera income
Land less farmers (0-0.1 ha land) 14000.45 13500.20 16000.08 15000.15 14606
Marginal farm ers (0.1-1 ha) 25900.45 24400.82 29100.25 27850.50 26809
Small farm ers (1-3 ha) 50400.12 49058.55 52000.00 51400.00 50711
No. of farmers having backyard birds - - - - -
No. of farmers Aware
(a) Rural poultry production 2 2 1 2
(b) Commercial broiler production tech. - 1 - -

Table 2: Effect of Azolla feeding on body weight of Nirbhik strain

Group Body weight at 8 Body weight at 14 Pooled mortality at

th
week (g) week 14 week (%)
Group I 782  10.8 1270  12.9 7.01
(n = 18)
Group II 803  11.3 1581  11.8 5.2
(n = 18)
Group III 839  11.7 1810  12.5 4.98
(n = 18)
N = Number of farmers monitored

Table 3: Effect of Azolla feeding on egg production of Shyama strain

Group Total egg production Total egg production Pooled mortality at

th
at 40 week at 72 weeks (No. of 14 week (%)
birds recorded)
Group I 39.1 4.2 138.4 3.1 (206) 16.9
(n = 6)
Group II 42.3 2.4 161.24.6 (215) 15.2
(n = 6)
Group III 48.6  2.9 197.6  3.2 (221) 15.1
(n = 8)

N = Number of farmers monitored

performance, especially when they supply part of the total
protein. The cost of cultivation of Azolla is negligible and thus
the expenditure towards feed is saved by resource poor
farmers.
The present study was undertaken to evaluate Azolla
pinnata as sole feed supplement to poultry under rural poultry
production system (open range and semi-range) and its role
in poverty alleviation and creating sustainable livelihood security
to landless and marginal land holder families.
Materials and Methods
The present study was undertaken in villages of Barabanki
and Raebareli districts of U.P., India as an intervention under
the World Bank funded National Agricultural Innovation Project
of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The research
project is being implemented in 2 clusters in each district
comprising 10-12 villages in each cluster to develop practical
models of sustainable livelihood security focusing the rural
families.
Base line survey: Base line survey covering 15% of
households in each cluster was conducted during April-July,
2009 i.e. beginning of the project using random stratified
sampling method for knowing status of livelihood and
resources in rural areas under investigation.
Azolla cultivation: Azolla pinnata was cultivated in small
pits of 4 x 2 x 0.2 m (L x W x D) dimensions and in village ponds.
The pits floor was covered with polythene sheets and about 2
kg fresh cow dung and 60-70 g single super phosphate was
mixed in a bucket of water and poured in the pit. The pits were
filled with fresh water and about half kg of fresh Azolla was
inoculated in the pit by spreading on the surface. The pits were
made near the shelter of the poultry. The water was replaced at
monthly intervals.
Poultry rearing: Small shelters of approximately 8 x 4 x 4
feet were constructed by farmers using mud. Asbestos sheet
was used as roof. One side of the shelter was made of chicken
wire mesh and a door of wire mesh in wooden frame was

251
Veterinary Practitioner Vol. 13 No. 2
Fig.1: Showing wellness due to poultry feed Azolla (Azolla pinnata) among landless poultry farmers
made in the other side of shelter. Day old chicks of dual purpose
strains of poultry, Nirbhik and Shyama, targeting for growth
and egg production, respectively, were provided to the farmers
in batches of 50 chicks at interval of 21-35 days to a total of 200
chicks in the year. The chicks were fed either chick mesh or
finely grinded wheat for 7-10 days and were allowed to graze
onward.
Evaluation of azolla as sole feed: In the field conditions
and existing situations of non-availability of sufficient grazing
space and concentrate ration, the evaluation of azolla as sole
feed resource was evaluated. For the purpose 3 groups of
farmers were identified as:
Group I: No supplementary feeding; only grazing in
backyard was practiced.
Group II: Besides grazing in backyard, 0.5-1 kg waste
grain per 50 birds per day was supplemented.
Group III: Azolla pinnata (ad lib.) was provided to the
birds and it was the main feed during grazing.
The birds were monitored for mortality and body weight at
8th and 14th week.
Economic evaluation for livelihood security: Farmers in
all the three groups were monitored for their cash input cost,
cash return, utilization pattern of returns and sustainance which
is vital for livelihood security.
December 2012
Results and Discussion
Base line survey: The data of 42 villages of Barabanki
and Raebareli districts of U.P., India, surveyed for initial
economic status of the rural farmers are presented in the Table
1. The average family size across the clusters was 7.1. The
average income varied to ‘ 14606, 26809 and 50711 per annum
for landless, marginal and small farmers, respectively. The
major source of livelihood for landless families was working
as agricultural laborers, hawkers or as helpers in nearby village
market shops. The major livelihood source for marginal and
small farmers was agricultural produce i.e. wheat, paddy,
pulses, oilseeds and rearing of bovines. None of the farmers
out of 42 villages were having any backyard bird but few
occasionally reared 1-5 birds whenever they got for family use.
Only 7 farmers were aware with the rural poultry production
technology and one with commercial broiler production.
Azolla cultivation: The northern India has 3 distinct
seasons viz., summer, rainy and winter season. The
temperature during summer reaches 44-45 o C and during
winter months may drop to 2-3oC as lowest peak. The growth
of Azolla pinnata was optimum for 9-10 months but decrease
was seen during mid December to January and June months.
In peak season when the ideal temperature was available
(15-30o C), 7-8 kg fresh fern was harvested per week from
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Veterinary Practitioner Vol. 13 No. 2
each pit. The birds of the Group III were fed the fern and average
consumption varied from 30-90 g/day/bird. Farmers fed the
Azolla daily in the morning and afternoon.
Effect on growth: The growth rate of Nirbhik strain is given
in the Table 2 for all the 3 groups. The body weight gain in
Azolla fed group was 1.81 kg at 14th week (tender meat stage)
compared to 1.58 kg in Group-II (grain supplementation) and
1.27 kg of Group-I (without any supplementation). The mortality
varied between 4.98 to 7.01%. The causes of mortality were
predation, pneumonia and salmonellosis. In one batch under
group 1, one farmer suffered chick mortality due to IBD which
claimed 24 deaths out of 50 chicks supplied.
Evaluation of return and livelihood: The farmers sold the
birds in the local market gradually. Though a total of 604 farmers
were covered under the interventions but data of 18 farmers in
each group was compiled and monitored. The price of live
birds in local market varied between Rs.100-150/kg depending
on the season. Almost 90% farmers sold Nirbhik strain birds
when they attained body weight between 1.5 -2 kg and realized
the cash. However, farmers provided with Shyama strain
retained nearly 50% of the available total female birds for egg
laying but sold the males and about 50% female birds also to
fulfill their domestic needs.
The egg laying birds available with farmers in the 3 groups
were monitored for egg production status and effect of Azolla
feeding. The results are presented in the Table 3. The Group-
III birds produced 197.6 eggs which was comparatively much
lower in Group-II (161.2) and Group-I (138.4 eggs).
The cost of chicks irrespective of strain was Rs.10/- each.
The cost of shelter was Rs. 452.5± 6.5 per farmers. The labor
cost was not assessed as it was by family itself. The cost of
single super phosphate, which was purchased, was Rs. 4/-
kg. thus, each pit required cash input cost of Rs. 44/- per annum
and produced approximately 300 kg fresh Azolla per annum.
The average income per bird sold was between Rs. 150-
210 depending on weight and season. The mortality up to 72
weeks was between 15.1-16.9 and the main reasons reported
were predation, pneumonia, septicaemia, salmonellosis and
colibacillosis.
The income received from 200 birds reared by farmers
also varied. The highest average income was realized from
Azolla fed Nirbihik birds which was Rs. 42,330± 20.4 compared
to non-supplemented group (Rs.26938±10.3) and partially
supplemented group (Rs.35892 ±12.4)
In the villages under investigation 30.26% population is
landless followed by marginal (38.16%) and small farmers
(26.98%). The average family size of 7.1 with average annual
family income of Rs.14000.45 of landless population is a
complex situation and a major challenge to develop
sustainable on farm models for their livelihood security. Even
the annual income of small land holders Rs. 26809 of marginal
and Rs. 50711 of small farmers are not sufficient to cater the
need of the families such as good education for children
nutritional and health security. The existing models available
need capital investment which is not available with these
resource poor farmers. Even a small size broiler farm with
capacity of 250-500 chicks needs investment in the range of
Rs. 50,000-80,000/-. The estimated feed cost under deep litter
system is 60-65% of total recurring expenditure.
In the present study integration of Azolla in situ cultivation
December 2012
and feeding to birds under semi-range saved the feed cost by
more than 80%. The higher growth rate, as also reported by
many workers (Castillo et al., 1981; Basak et al., 2002; Alalade
and Iyayi, 2006; Singh and Subudhi, 1978) due to higher crude
protein content (above 22%), minerals and vitamins available
in the fern containing Azolla were able to meet the major
requirement of the body, and grazing in the backyard
supplemented with other amino acids and nutrients. The non-
Azolla fed group showed lower growth rate and egg production
and, thus, the advantage of Azolla is fully established. The
reports are in conformity with other workers (Basak et al., 2002).
The smaller leaf size of Azolla pinnata is suitable for intake by
the chicks as well as grower/adults.
The livelihood security of such resource poor farmers is
real challenge. They lack resources to initiate any venture
besides the technical knowledge. The fear of risk involved with
any live and capital intensive venture is beyond their capacity.
The rural poultry production commonly in form of open range
system can only provide subsidiary income where as small
unit of deep litter system results in poor profits margin due to
high feed cost and its non-availability in the vicinity. In this
scenario the present approach proved a viable venture. The in
situ azolla cultivation at negligible cost was able to sustain the
growth which was near to the standard parameters of the
strains under farm conditions. In the present study out of 604
farmers, 52 upgraded their venture into deep litter broiler
production besides continuance of the present system in the
subsequent years which yielded about Rs. 6000-10000/ per
cycle of 250-400 broiler chick units. A few farmers gradually
constructed/renovated their own houses, purchased lactating
cows/buffalo for milk, also started goatery unit from the earnings
in which this integration of poultry with azolla played major roll.
Almost all farmers increased their rural poultry intake from
initial 50 chicks to 150-300 per batch within 6 months though
the data of separate units are not included in the present report.
The most significant result was capacity building and coming
out of vicious cycle of poverty. Some of the landless families re-
started sending their children to school again which was
discontinued due to economic reasons.
The present study is suggestive of a viable on farm model
of rural poultry integrated with in situ Azolla cultivation and
feeding where the initial capital for taking up the desired activities
for sustainable livelihood security can be generated.
Simultaneously, it can serve itself as source of sustainable
livelihood security, besides assuring nutritional and health
security. Rural poultry production system, particularly semi-
range based technology, can be a viable tool for poverty
alleviation among landless and small land holder masses.
This does not require higher level of technical competence.
Acknowledgement
Authors are thankful to National Agricultural Innovation
Project (NAIP) Project, ICAR, New Delhi for financial support
and Director, IVRI for providing necessary research facilities to
carry out the present research work.
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