The integration of superfoods like moringa, azolla, duckweed, and digitaria sanguinalis or crabgrass into animal diets is transforming livestock nutrition. These nutrient-rich plants are sustainable, cost-effective, and deliver remarkable benefits that directly improve animal health and productivity. Moringa, often called the “miracle tree,” contains protein, vitamins, and essential minerals, making it an outstanding dietary supplement. Its leaves strengthen immunity, boost milk production in dairy animals, and promote weight gain effectively.
Similarly, azolla, a rapidly growing aquatic fern, provides a rich source of protein and essential amino acids. Its high digestibility makes it ideal for animals, leading to better egg quality, increased milk yield, and faster growth rates. Duckweed, another aquatic powerhouse, thrives in nutrient-dense water and offers exceptional protein content and bioavailable nutrients. When included in the diets of fish, poultry, or swine, it enhances feed efficiency. Moreover, it reduces dependency on costly, resource-intensive conventional feeds. Furthermore, digitaria sanguinalis or crabgrass is a resilient, fast-growing annual grass grows in lawns and gardens. While often considered a weed, it can survive in diverse conditions, thriving in warm, disturbed soils, and can be a nutritious animal feed.
Incorporating these superfoods not only enhances animal diets but also supports sustainable farming practices. By cutting feed costs and increasing yields, moringa, azolla, duckweed, and digitaria sanguinalis empower farmers to achieve higher productivity while reducing their environmental impact. These nature-driven innovations showcase the potential of green, forward-thinking farming strategies.
In an exclusive interaction with The Interview World, Harsh Agrawal, an animal nutrition expert, shared his pioneering work on superfoods. He detailed international research on macronutrients and their critical role in improving animal health. Harsh also highlighted similar studies conducted in India, offering insights into plant-based protein and micronutrient sources essential for both animals and humans. He emphasized the impact of superfoods on milk yields in buffaloes and cows and discussed moringa and other key indigenous varieties. Here are the key insights from this enlightening conversation.
Q: Can you provide insights into your research on macronutrients and their role in enhancing overall animal health?
A: I have been selected for the exclusive Cumulative Study on Nutritional Growth (CSONG) course, which is available only through invitation, based on recommendations from German-based Israeli scientists. This program focuses on the comprehensive study of both macro and micro nutritional needs for agricultural products and ruminants. It also examines modern techniques to address these needs through pure and organic practices.
As part of this course, I pursued a specialized study on animal nutritional growth, a unique program offered by universities in Denmark. The course delves into the nutritional requirements of ruminants, both macro and micro, and explores superfoods that can naturally and organically meet these needs. These superfoods are readily available worldwide and can effectively supplement animal nutrition.
The core of my project was to increase animal yields, a pressing challenge in animal husbandry. This project aimed to identify and implement sustainable, organic solutions to optimize animal productivity.
Q: In the context of India, are there similar courses in animal husbandry, or do you consider your approach and work in this field to be unique?
A: In my experience, the courses currently offered in India primarily focus on the practical aspects of animal care and cost-effective operations. These programs are often more concerned with the sustainability of the project than with the actual growth and well-being of the animals. Most courses emphasize using locally available resources, assuming that participants are either illiterate or have limited knowledge. The focus is on simplifying the process, often by suggesting easily accessible nutritional products from local sources.
However, many beneficial products are available in India but the government doesn’t recognize them. Recently, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has begun to advocate for certain plants as superfoods for both animals and humans. Yet, this valuable knowledge is not incorporated into the current courses. This gap is a key distinction between what is being taught and the more holistic, evolving approach that the government is starting to endorse.
Q: What are the key plant-based superfoods of proteins and micronutrients essential for animals and humans?
A: Moringa, a remarkable plant gaining widespread recognition, is locally known as sahjan. It is a readily available tree, often overlooked due to the lack of value placed on its wood. This plant thrives across almost all of India, including forested areas. However, there is a particular variety—Moringa PK-M1—that stands out. Its leaves are less bitter and contain the highest nutritional composition.
The PK-M1 variety has earned recognition as a superfood, not only by the FDA in the United States but also by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). It boasts an exceptional nutrient profile, offering 17 times the calcium found in milk and approximately 21 times the potassium of bananas. Even the more common sahjan (the wild variety) is significantly potent, providing six times the nutrients of both bananas and milk. This plant contains 92 essential vitamins and minerals, making it one of the most nutritionally complex and valuable plant-based sources, capable of being grown globally.
Q: To what extent can these superfoods impact the milk yield of buffaloes and cows?
A: In milk production, the primary nutritional needs of cattle are protein, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. These four components are essential for optimal health and milk yield. Remarkably, moringa can meet all of these nutritional requirements, making it an excellent alternative to traditional feed sources. By incorporating moringa, there is no longer a need to rely on inflated cotton cakes and fodders, which are currently overpriced in the market. Furthermore, cattle consume moringa with ease, especially when fed the PK-M1 variety. This variety is less bitter, allowing animals to adapt quickly and consume it happily.
Q: Are there any studies that confirm an increase in yield after incorporating these superfoods?
A: A typical cow requires about four kilograms of concentrate daily. However, when supplemented with one kilogram of moringa, the cow’s concentrate needs drop to just 1.5 to 2 kilograms. This results in clear cost savings while enhancing the animal’s digestion. Moringa helps maintain a balanced pH, reducing the risk of acidosis. As a result, the animal digests food more efficiently, converting it into valuable nutrition.
Moreover, cows enjoy eating moringa, which encourages greater consumption. Since moringa is a green-based concentrate, it also provides essential water content, helping meet the cow’s hydration needs. This further supports the digestion process, leading to better overall health. With improved digestion and higher milk production, moringa proves highly beneficial for the animal. Recognizing these advantages, the Government of India is actively promoting its use.
Q: Besides moringa, are there any other superfoods you would like to highlight?
A: Currently, we have four superfoods in our portfolio. These include moringa PK-N1, azolla (aquatic ferns), duckweed, and digitaria sanguinalis, commonly known as crabgrass. Digitaria sanguinalis is a unique plant, a cross between several species, known for its excellent yield despite its low dry matter content. Its nutritional composition, bioavailability, and palatability are exceptional.
Azolla and duckweed are particularly noteworthy, both containing over 40% protein. Since protein is a major dietary requirement for animals, cotton cakes are typically used to meet this need. However, by supplementing with azolla and duckweed, we can provide a high-quality protein source. Their superior palatability ensures that the animals digest the food well, allowing their bodies to absorb more protein from the same amount of feed.
Q: Do these superfoods have the potential to enhance yield?
A: These superfoods can boost yield by 10 to 12 percent, provided the animal can digest them properly. However, azolla and duckweed require careful management, as improper digestion can lead to acidosis. This occurs when the breakdown process raises the pH level. The key challenge is mitigating this risk. By combining azolla and duckweed with moringa, you can significantly enhance both nutrient absorption and overall output, achieving even greater results.
