Scarcity fodders and preservation of green fodder

Scarcity of Fodders

Current Situation

• India faces a significant shortage of fodder, with estimates indicating a 63.5% deficit in green fodder and 25% in dry fodder.
• The shortage is exacerbated by the increasing human population, which places pressure on land for food crops, reducing the area available for fodder cultivation.
• Crop residues, which account for over 44% of livestock feed, are often low in nutritional quality.

Future Projections

• By 2025, an expected deficit of 65% for green fodder and 25% for dry fodder is anticipated.
• The Parliamentary Standing Committee has indicated a need for a national fodder policy to address these shortages.

Contributing Factors

• The shift towards high-yielding cereal crops has resulted in less fodder availability.
• Lack of focus on scientific growth of fodder crops and required agro-climatic varieties contributes to the crisis.

Preservation of Green Fodder

Short-Term Strategies

1. Sowing Short-Duration Crops: Grow legumes like cowpea and hors gram in rice fallows during the pre-monsoon period.
2. Fodder Maize and Sorghum: Plant these during the early kharif season, either as pure crops or intercropped with other major crops.
3. Dual-Purpose Crops: Harvest crops like sorghum and bajra for both grain and fodder.
4. Use of Urea: Apply urea as a foliar spray to enhance growth and protein content in cereal fodder.
5. Harvesting Perennial Grasses: Properly harvest and store perennial grasses like Guinea grass and hybrid napier for future use.

Long-Term Strategies

1. Enhancing Perennial Grasses: Focus on drought-tolerant perennial grasses in arid regions.
2. Improving Pastures: Implement in-situ rainwater conservation and reseeding with leguminous components.
3. Introducing Fodder Trees: Plant trees such as Prosopis and Albizia to provide additional fodder sources.
4. Rehabilitation of Wasted Lands: Use abandoned lands for growing fodder crops to increase availability.

Additional Considerations

• Community Engagement: Involve local communities in managing grazing lands to ensure sustainable practices.
• National Policies: Develop comprehensive policies to support fodder production and grazing management.

By addressing these strategies, it is possible to mitigate the impact of fodder scarcity and enhance the availability of green fodder for livestock, ultimately improving livestock health and productivity.

Point wise shorts notes

Scarcity of Fodders

Current Situation

• Deficit: India has a 63.5% deficit in green fodder and 25% in dry fodder.
• Pressure on Land: Increasing human population reduces land available for fodder cultivation.
• Crop Residues: Over 44% of livestock feed comes from low-quality crop residues.

Future Projections

• Expected deficits by 2025: 65% for green fodder and 25% for dry fodder.
• Need for a national fodder policy to address shortages.

Contributing Factors

• Shift to high-yielding cereal crops decreases fodder availability.
• Lack of focus on scientific growth of fodder crops.

Preservation of Green Fodder

Short-Term Strategies

1. Sowing Short-Duration Crops: Use legumes like cowpea in rice fallows.
2. Fodder Maize and Sorghum: Plant early in the kharif season as pure or intercropped.
3. Dual-Purpose Crops: Harvest crops like sorghum for both grain and fodder.
4. Urea Application: Foliar spray to enhance growth and protein content.
5. Harvesting Perennial Grasses: Properly manage and store grasses like Guinea grass.

Long-Term Strategies

1. Enhancing Perennial Grasses: Focus on drought-tolerant varieties.
2. Improving Pastures: Implement rainwater conservation and reseeding.
3. Introducing Fodder Trees: Plant trees like Prosopis for additional fodder.
4. Rehabilitating Wasted Lands: Utilize abandoned lands for fodder crops.

Additional Considerations

• Community Engagement: Involve local communities in grazing land management.
• National Policies: Develop comprehensive policies to support fodder production.