The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, in its ongoing efforts to promote sustainable livestock feeding practices, strengthen farmer resilience during dry periods, and enhance overall livestock productivity in Fiji’s rural areas, conducted a one-day training on the preparation and use of Urea Molasses Blocks (UMB) at Bukuya Village, Magodro, Ba, on Friday.
The training was led by Senior Research Officer (Pasture), Mr. Mohammed Shafeen, and attended by 24 farmers from the Nausori Highlands, who showed great interest and enthusiasm in learning about this cost-effective livestock feed supplement.
Mr. Shafeen said the session aimed to educate farmers on the importance of supplementing livestock feed to maintain animal growth and performance, especially during the current dry spell when the availability of quality forage is limited.
Urea Molasses Blocks serve as an excellent nutritional supplement for ruminants such as cattle, goats, and sheep by providing readily available energy, protein, and essential minerals.
During the training, the advantages of UMB were highlighted, emphasizing that: 📍UMB blocks are convenient to produce, cost-effective, and made from locally available ingredients.
📍It provides a readily available source of energy, protein, and minerals for ruminants.
📍Helps improve the nutrition, health, and growth performance of livestock, especially where pasture quality is poor.
📍Enhances animal condition during dry seasons, maintaining body weight and productivity when feed is scarce.
The training was hands-on and participatory, where Ministry staff demonstrated each step of the UMB preparation process. Farmers were then given the opportunity to prepare the blocks themselves under staff supervision.
“The practical session allowed farmers to gain confidence and skills in producing UMB using simple tools and materials available in their own communities,” Mr. Shafeen said.
Farmers expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that UMB supplementation can significantly support their herds during drought and feed shortage periods.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways plans to conduct further training sessions in Navosa, Nadi, Nadroga, and Ra in the coming months to extend the benefits of this technology to more livestock farming communities across the country.