FODDER CONSTRAINTS IN RAINFED AREAS OF INDIA : CONSTRAINTS AND STRATEGIES
V. VISHA KUMARI, K. A. GOPINATH, G. VENKATESH, MA SARATH CHANDRAN AND CH SRINIVASA RAO
ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture
Hyderabad (Telangana), India
(e-mail : visha.venugopal@gmail.com)
(Received : 16 May 2017; Accepted : 5 September 2017)
SUMMARY
Owing to India’s first rank in livestock population, there is tremendous pressure on the limited feed and fodder resources, as land available for fodder production has been decreasing. This is more likely under dryland conditions as they face uncertainty with rainfall. Thus, the dryland farmers are unable to pay any attention towards assured fodder production. They mostly depend upon the crop stover for their livestock during season and face severe fodder shortage during lean period. This paper discusses the constraints and strategies for improving the fodder resources development and their availability in rainfed areas of the country.
Key words: Fodder, rainfed, agroforestry, weather anomalies, unexploited fodder species