Tree fodder as an alternate land use option for sustaining forage security in India. Review paper.

Abstract

Success of animal husbandry and dairy industry is largely depends on quality fodder availability. However, quality fodder availability in India is low due to low or non availability of suitable varietal wealth, more emphasis on food grain and cash crops. The projected fodder scarcity in India reveals a net deficit of 35.6 % green fodder and 10.9 % dry crop residue, which calls for development and adoption of land use based interventions. In this context, tree fodder based land use plans may prove beneficial due to their ability to supply nutritious green fodder round the year at optimally lower cost. Besides, it has wide adaptability and fast growth under marginal areas, and thus, helps in bringing in their fold areas such as non-arable wastelands besides. Thus, it paves the way for forage security besides their role in improving ecosystem services and societal well being.