Fodder production: Importance in dairy farming and its scope in eastern India

Abstract

Dairy farming has great potential in enhancing income, employment, nutrition security and livelihood of people in eastern India. Feeding of dairy animals with green fodders plays important role in economical dairy farming. India is bestowed with highest cattle population in the world but the productivity per animal is very low. Unavailability of quality feeds and fodders in their ration is the major reason. As the cost of components of concentrate feed are very high, green fodders are used to the maximum level in the ration to fulfil the nutrient requirements of dairy animals and to reduce cost of feeding. Inclusion of quality green fodders from both cereal and legume source not only reduce the cost of feeding but also increase the availability of nutrients which help in reproduction and milk production. Due to the shortage of land for sole fodder production for dairy animals in the eastern India, either intercropping method or mixed cropping method or marshy/low land may be used for fodder production. Hay and silage feeding are also the alternatives of dairy animal feed resources. Keeping the above things in mind, fodder calendar for year-round fodder production (YRFP) may be prepared to make availability of green fodders for dairy animals.