Scarcity Of Fodder Research Articles

Comparative Profitability of Napier Fodder with Competitive Cash Crops in Selected Areas of Bangladesh

The research was carried out to investigate the scenario of the fodder-cultivated farmer along with the profitability of Napier fodder cultivation in comparison to main cash crops like rice, jute and onions and the challenges in fodder cultivation. This study was done by collecting primary data through a baseline survey from 60 livestock cum fodder cultivating farmers by random sampling techniques. This study was mainly done in Shahjadpur, Sirajganj and Santhia, Pabna from June 2022- July 2022. Data were entered, sorted, compiled, and analyzed by using a Microsoft Excel worksheet. Descriptive statistics were performed to test the differences among the variables of fodder, rice, jute, and onion production by using SPSS Software, IBM-25 Corporation. The results of this study shows that the average age range of farmers was 41.68% between the ages of 41 and 60, whereas 38.33% of farmers were between 20 and 40 years ages. In the study areas, 75.00% of farmers had minimum primary to graduation or above educational level. Overall 56.67% of farmer’s main occupation was agriculture in the selected areas. Only 25.00% of farmers knew feed processing. The Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) in rice and onion were 1.81 and 1.66 in Shahjadpur and 1.78 and 1.52 in Santhia. In jute and fodder, BCR was 1.34 and 2.11 in Santhia whereas 1.28 and 2.00 in Shahjadpur, respectively. The profitability of fodder was higher than other selected cash crops. The maximum 80.00% of farmers had a lack of training on scientific ways of fodder production. This study concluded that fodder cultivation can play a significant role in more income generation in the studied milk pocket areas in comparison to rice, jute, and onion cultivation because they had a scarcity of fodder and high demand for it.

Constraints and recommendation for countrywide extension of artificial insemination in buffalo, goat and sheep

Background: The workshop aimed to identify the constraints and way forward to extend the artificial insemination in buffalo, sheep and goat countrywide. Methods: A day long workshop was organized jointly by the Coastal Vet Society Bangladesh (CVS-BD) and Grameen Jano Unnayan Sangstha (GJUS) at Bangladesh Development Society conference hall in Barishal district of Bangladesh. A total of 100 stakeholders in different aspect were joined in this workshop. Results: On the workshop, the constraints were lack of buffalo, sheep and goat breeding policy, recording systems, knowledge about the high-yielding breed, scarcity of quality feed, fodder and pasture land, lack of technical skills in reproduction and production personal, no or limited facilities to breed improvement technologies, lack of breeding infrastructure, non-availability of proven sire, no coordination among farmers, researchers, public and private organization, universities as well as other beneficiaries. The recommendations to overcome those constraints were to build up and strengthening the breeding policies and infrastructure, continuous up-gradation of native breed by high yielding breeds or varieties, adopted with assisted reproductive technologies, frequently advertise the beneficial aspects of buffalo milk and meat, development of manpower by technical training, national and international collaboration should be strengthened, private investment should be encouraged and alternative feed supply is needed to warrant. Conclusion: It is concluded that an initiative through public and private partnership or collaboration is needed to extent the artificial insemination program in buffalo, sheep and goat countrywide.

PROBLEMS OF LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN KOLAR DISTRICT

Livestock farming refers to domesticated animals raised in a rural setting to provide produce and labour and products for consumption such as meat milk fur leather eggs and wool. India is the worlds largest livestock owner having about 535.78 million. In India livestock has contributed 4.11% of the GDP In this study livestock farmers taken for sampling are breeders of cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep. The main place where the interview took place was the Kolar and Bangapet cattle jatre or cattle fair which takes place from morning 4:00 AM and goes on till the next day 7:00 AM. Many of these cattle rearing farmers were selected as samples from 20 villages of four talukas namely Kplar, Bangapet, Mulbagal and Srinivaspur.. The research problem pointed to agriculture becoming more mechanized resulting in more fertile grasslands coming under cultivation. Research methodology consisted of using both primary as well as secondary data. Primary data was collected by means of the questionnaire and interview method and secondary data was collected from previously published articles and government reports. Sampling design comprised of simple random sampling and percentage method was used to analyze the collected data. The findings showed that the lack of safe shelter which could save the livestock from snakes, raccoons and other wild animals was not there. Certain remedies were suggested. To conclude these livestock farmers were an unhappy lot and wanted their basic problems of water scarcity and lack of fodder to be addressed.

Socio-economic profile and constraints of farmers rearing Hariana cattle

The study was conducted in Hisar, Bhiwani, Rohtak and Jhajjar districts of Haryana state in India to assess the socioeconomic profile, technology adoption and constraints of the farmers rearing Hariana cattle in its breeding tract. A total of240 respondents (60 respondents from each district) were purposively selected and interviewed individually. 84.58 % of the farmers belong to joint family. Occupation of majority of the respondents was agriculture (53.33 %) along with dairying. Most of the farmers were small (27.50 %), marginal (28.34 %) and landless (29.58 %) with an average land holding of 2.6 acres. 50% of them belong to medium (40000-150000 lakhs) annual family income group. The average herd size and lactation yield of Hariana cattle in study area was 1.56 and 1014.21 L respectively. Majority of the farmers have adopted all the technologies only few of them have not adopted due to lack of knowledge. The major constraints in Hariana cattle rearing is low productivity comparedto Murrah buffalo and CB cattle. The other prevailing constraints of farmers in the study areas were aggressive behaviour of Hariana cattle, sale of male calves, reduction in grazing land, lack of timely veterinary and AI services, dilution of breed arise from indiscriminate breeding and scarcity of feed and fodder.

Constraints Perceived by Small Scale Goat Farmers of Kamrup, Kamrup Metro and Morigaon Districts of Assam

The present study was conducted to know the constraints perceived by the small scale goat farmers of Kamrup, Kamrup Metro and Morigaon districts of Assam. The data obtained on various constraints perceived by the goat farmers under the study were tabulated and analyzed statistically by using Garrett’s Ranking Technique. The study was conducted at Goat Research Station, Assam Agricultural University, Burnihat, Kamrup Metro, Assam during the years, 2020-21 and 2021-22. For the purpose the research station prepared a questionnaire for surveying and data collection about various constraints faced by the goat farmers and entrepreneurs of three districts viz. Kamrup, Kamrup Metro and Morigaon who visited the station during the period for seeking advises and taking training on Scientific goat rearing and management. The farmers were asked to identify the constraints he/ she and their fellow farmers of their villages faced with respect to rearing of goats in their locality and to rank the constraints from 1 to 13 according to the seriousness of the constraints faced by them. The higher incidence of diseases was the major constraints of goat farmers with mean score of 77.66 and ranked first among the constraints in goat rearing. Scarcity of feed and fodder (63.76), lack of knowledge on scientific goat farming (63.25) and inadequate veterinary facilities (61.07) were ranked second, third and fourth major constraints, respectively. Similarly, high rate of kid mortality, lack of grazing land and scarcity of breedable male goat (buck) were ranked fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively as constraints in goat rearing. Non-availability of nutrient rich fodder trees/grasses, inbreeding, recurrent flood and lower sale prices of goats were some other constraints for the goat farmers surveyed during the study. From the study, it can be concluded that the small scale goat farmers of the districts of Kamrup, Kamrup Metro and Morigaon have a lot of constraints in goat rearing, the major being the incidence of diseases and scarcity of feed and fodder.

Socioeconomic status and livestock scenario of Spiti valley of Western Himalayas

Livestock rearing plays a cogent role in the economy of Himachal Pradesh, as it contributes about 28-30% ofthe total value of agricultural produce. In the study area, the majority of livestock farmers belonged to marginalcategory and were rearing sheep, goat, local cattle, Churu and Yak for their sustenance. The literacy rate in the areawas highest in semi-medium farmers followed by small and marginal farmers. Study revealed that contribution oflivestock sector to the gross farmer’s income was highest in case of marginal farmers. In the study area, inadequateexposure to improved breeding practices, scarcity of green fodder and poor marketing facilities were themajor constraints in livestock production. The majority of farmers in this region were adopting modern veterinarymedicines/vaccines for the treatment of their livestock; however, ethnoveterinary practices are still in progress.In the light of results obtained, it can be concluded that the socio-economic status of the livestock farmers in thealpine area of Lahaul and Spiti is appreciable, though there are multiple constraints in livestock production practiceswhich directly affect the animal health and thus the farmers livelihood.

Understanding the Use of Challakere Grasslands by the Local Communities and Their Livestock

Challakere grasslands have been in news since the allotment of Amruth Mahal Kavals to the prestigious institutions like the BARC, DRDO, ISRO and IISC in 2008. There was lot of anger and demonstration being held from Challakere to the national capital New Delhi. The supreme court formed a Central Inquiry Committee and heard the queries of both the contestant parties. Finally there is access to only few things in the allocated kavals like the temple, drinking water and few important roads. The lifestyle of the people who are staying around these kavals have changed since last ten years. The people who always grew some crops during the rainy season and then grazed their livestock in the vast kavals have lost hopes on both, thanks to the diminished rains and shrinking of kaval. The livestock number is fast decreasing due to the scarcity of fodder which is shown both in secondary data and also from the socio-economic survey we conducted. Wildlife has dwindled with number and the imbalance in predator- prey population may pose a threat to the future remaining agricultural lands.

Fodder Estimations for Dairy Activity in Tribal Area of Upper Pravara Basin in Maharashtra (India)

Livestock is a continuous and major source of income to the tribal people in India. The scarcity of fodder is a major constraint observed for dairy activity in rural and tribal zones. Therefore, the fodder was estimated to understand the fodder source and budgeting for planning and management of sustainable dairy activity in the study region. The grazing on forest and open lands and stall feeding of harvested fodder are major feeding methods observed in the study area. The grazing estimates about 59% of fodder requirements and stall feeding estimates about 41%. The significant positive correlation was estimated for 1) 6 months grazing period with forest land, grasses reported as crop, other crops and area not available for cultivation, 2) 7 months grazing period with net sown area, good soil, rice crop, fallow land and private grasslands, 3) 8 months grazing period with an area not available for cultivation, good soil quality, good rainfall, more other crops, fallow land and grass reported as a crop and 4) 9 months grazing period with forest and area under crops. Green fodder shows deficit of about 80.6% of requirements in 95% villages with an adverse effect on dairy activity. Surplus green fodder is available only in villages having perennial irrigation facilities. Dry fodder estimated about 13.7% surplus which tribal people are using as supportive fodder in shortage period. These methods are useful for estimations and analysis of available fodder in rural and tribal zones of Indian and developing countries.

Challenges in the Indian livestock sector and suggested interventions: An overview

Livestock is an integral part of agriculture, and it plays a significant role in the nutritional security of the people. The sector provides livelihood to more than two-thirds of the rural population. India has the largest animal husbandry sector and contributes 18.6 percent to the total milk production of the world. There are many challenges the sector will come across, during the process of achieving any set target in the future, like disease outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance, greenhouse gas emission, inadequate human resources and infrastructure for veterinary services, low productivity of animals, non-remunerative milk prices, the unorganized markets for livestock products, poor livestock extension, and scarcity of feed and fodder. The adoption of sex-sorted semen technology, by-product utilization, use of feed supplements, replacement of low producing animals with the high producers, judicious use of antibiotics, promotion to organized market, livestock-based integrated farming system, and public-private partnership in the livestock sector are some of the suggested interventions to mitigate these challenges. The livestock sector has more equitable distribution than agriculture, so each scheme or policy of the government directly affects the individual household. Each sub-sector of the livestock has an annual growth rate of more than 5 percent, validating the enormous potential for a rainbow revolution in the sector. Hence, it can be truly said that livestock is the new growth dynamo of the agriculture sector.

Interventions to sustain dairy production and productivity in changing climate of Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu

Dairy animals play a major role in livelihood of farming community in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. But continuous reduction in average rainfall of 854.95 mm between 1995-2005, 777.47mm between 2006-2014 and 708.04mm between 2015-2019 due to climate change causes severe drought and drought results in scarcity of available pasture and fodder and decline in dairy animal population from 2.85lakhs in 18th livestock census, 2009 to 2.49 in 19th livestock census, 2014 in Namakkal district. Also, dairy animals become susceptible for heat stress, prone to vector borne diseases and affect the reproductive performances. Hence, suitable interventions to improve the performance of dairy animals in summer and hot humid seasons were introduced. It was found that though the temperature humidity index persisted almost similar over the years (2012 – 2018) and induced moderate heat stress ranged between 80 – 83, the productivity of animal increased from 4.1lt to 6.15lt in summer and 4.15lt to 6.59lt in hot humid season by adopting the climate resilient interventions. The productive and reproductive performance of the dairy animals indicated that housing, feeding and health management interventions improved the lactation yield from 945 lts to 2103 lts with 7.41 to 9.85 months lactation length though the average maximum temperature in summer from 2012 – 2018 was 39.170c. Even in drought and crop failure times, farmers could get stable income of Rs.2270/month/animal through milk and manure of cow by adopting scientific dairy housing and feeding management practices like thatched roof sheds, trees around the sheds for good ventilation, green fodder cultivation and feeding (15-20kg/day/animal), balanced low cost concentrate feed, mineral mixture (40gms/day/animal) along with Sodium bicarbonate (50gms/day/animal) feeding and adlibitum good quality drinking water (70lt – 90lt/day/animal).

Growth and Biomass Studies of Fodder cum Gum-yielding Trees under Different Spacing in Bundelkhand Region

The Bundelkhand region typically represents semi-arid conditions, where inhabitants of rural areas generally depend upon farming and livestock cultivation. Low availability of water and soil nutrients is the major hindrance in fodder production for livestock. Under such conditions, local people largely depend on fodder producing tree species. Senegalia Senegal sub species Senegal/kerensis and Acacia nilotica sub species indica are two important species of semi-arid region which produce nutritive fodder and also yield valuable edible gum. In present study S. Senegal and A. nilotica were planted in three different spacing viz., 10x10, 10x5 and 5x5 m, to test the effect of spacing on their survival, growth and fodder production. After six years, survival of S. Senegal and A. nilotica ranged from 61-86 (maximum in 10x10 m) and 69-90% (maximum in 5x5 m), respectively S. Senegal planted in wide spacing and A. nilotica planted in close spacing attained maximum height as well as stem diameter Both the species recorded maximum canopy spread and utilizable biomass (kg tree -1 ) in 10x10 and minimum in 5x5 m spacing; however, total biomass (tons ha -1 ) was found higher in close spacing 5x5 m). Apart from this, S. Senegal (37.63 g tree -1 ) and A. nilotica (12.21 g tree -1 ) started yielding gums after five years of plantation. This plantation is expected to yield good quantum of gum in coming years that can be an added advantage to the local inhabitants. Thus, based on the results obtained from the present study it can be concluded that un-utilized piece of lands available in Bundelkh and can be considered for developing S. Senegal and A. nilotica based silvipastoral system which may reduce the scarcity of fodder for livestock farmers in Bundelkh and region and may increase their income through revenue from gum yield.

Effect of Different Sowing Dates and Timings of Last Cut on Yield Attributes and Seed Yield of Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.)

Background: Many genetical, physiological, environmental and organizational constraints associated with the low productivity of forage crops, but the most important among them is lack of quality seeds of improved cultivars to farmers. Scarcity of green fodder and low seed setting forces the farmers not to prefer for seed production. Weather extremities like unbalanced or untimely rains or high speed winds also affected seed setting. All these extremities lead to scarcity of berseem seed in Punjab and farmer are forced to paying high prices at the time of sowing. Maintaining the proper sowing time and time of last cut for fodder and for leaving the crop for seed production may help in keeping the balance between vegetative and reproductive phases for high seed yield to tackle these problems. Therefore, optimum sowing time and last cut is a very deciding factor to achieve maximum green fodder and seed yield. The current experiment aimed to study the effect of different sowing dates and timings of last cut on yield attributes and seed yield of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.).Methods: In this experiment, crop was sown on five different dates with the broadcast method and also three dates of last cut of crop left for seed production. These treatments were replicated thrice. All other cultural practices were also maintained for optimum berseem productivity. The first cutting of fodder was taken after 55 days from sowing and thereafter 30 days interval. After the time of last cut, crop was left for seed production. At maturity, data on yield attributes were recorded. Results: Our investigations revealed that late sown berseem increased the yield attributes and seed yield but decreased the green fodder yield. Therefore to get maximum seed production, it is suggested that late sown 20th October has the optimum date of sowing and optimum time for leave the crop is 25th March for seed production.

Indigenous knowledge and community-based risk assessment of climate change among the Fulani Herder Community of Kpongu, North-Western Ghana

AbstractGiven rising concerns about climate change and development in Africa, this paper draws on Community Risk Assessment for mapping the risks of Fulani Herders to climate change in North-Western Ghana. Herder communities are seldom explored in climate change related studies although their livelihoods largely depend on the natural environment. Thus, a case study of the Fulani Herder Community of Kpongu in the Wa Municipality was conducted. The design employed Participatory Rural Appraisal instruments for data collection and analysis. The results reveal multiple indicators of climate change, including longer dry seasons and dry spells, shrinking sizes of water bodies, formation of iron pans on top soils, stunted growth of grass species, smaller grass stalks and less concentration of grasses. These have culminated into scarcity of fodder and water and increased distances of cattle herding under excruciating sunshine and temperatures in search of feed and water as an adaptive mechanism. The paper underscores that herder knowledge of climate change reveals a drying trend in climate and de-concentration in vegetation, especially grass species. The paper advocates climate change adaptation planning and policy attention to providing supplementary sources of water and feed in support of cattle herding and herder communities for climate change adaptation.

Spatio-temporal analysis of milk production in Karnataka state

Karnataka ranks 11 th among other states in milk production with 5.7 million tonnes annually. However, the milk productivity in Karnataka has been lower than the national average. There are number of factors that contribute to increasing milk production such as urbanization, enhancement in per capita income and population growth. The factors such as breed improvement through artificial insemination services and veterinary services, manual to mechanization, expanding network of cooperatives and market access have also contributed to increase in milk production. On the other hand, continued scarcity of feed and fodder coupled with increasing prices in addition to water scarcity limit the growth of dairying. Hence, it is important to study the factors influencing trends in milk production. Data for this has been collected and compiled at district level for the period 1997 to 2012. The population of indigenous cattle in Karnataka decreased from 92.92 lakh in 1997 to 69.46 lakh in 2011. The crossbred in Karnataka increased from 12.93 lakh in 1997 to 29.13 in 2011. The shift to crossbred during the study period was higher in north region followed by south and malnad and coastal region. The population of buffalo was decreasing continuously across the all the regions of Karnataka. The average milk yield from indigenous cattle in Karnataka only marginally increased from 2.03 kg in 1997 to 2.25 in 2007 thereafter it was stable. While the average milk yield from crossbred in Karnataka increased from 5.1 kg in 1997 to 5.4 kg by only 0.90 percent in 2006 and during subsequent years the milk yield remained almost same. The milk yield from buffalo in Karnataka increased from 2.43 kg in 1997 to 2.56 kg in 2011. The HER of indigenous cattle in Karnataka was 0.21 in 1997 to 0.25 in 2011. The HER of crossbred in Karnataka increased from 0.32 in 1997 to 0.37 in 2012. The HER of buffalo in Karnataka is steeply increasing from 0.38 in 1997 to 0.52 in 2011. It is clear from the empirical analysis that the increasing per capita income and human population contributed directly or indirectly to increase in milk production. Therefore, it is expected that Karnataka is required to produce more milk in the future as well to meet the increasing demand. The results reveal that of late the farmers in north region are increasingly adopting crossbred due to its economic efficiency and therefore the favourable conditions including required infrastructure facilities and market access should be created for promoting crossbred in north region for the benefit of the farmers.

Constraints in dairy development of members and non members of milk producing cooperative societies

This study was conducted in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh to know the constrains of members and non members of milk producing cooperative societies. It was observed that there serious scarcity of green fodder through out the year. This fact was reported by both categories members and non members, availability of feed and fodder in study area at higher cost. Non availability of veterinary services were expressed by all categories respondents i.e. members and non members and medicine available at higher costs, mortality through disease was also causing economic losses, in live stock production most of the members and not members reported lack of marketing facilities in the villages, lack of finance for purchase of milch animal and good quality of feeding.

Socio-Economic Status and Perceptions of Kosali Cattle Keepers and Constraints to Cattle Production in Central Plain Region of Chhattisgarh state

The present study was conducted to find out the socio-economic status and constraints to cattle production in Central Plain Region of Chhattisgarh state. Total 800 respondents from three districts of the region were selected. Sex, age, family size, education, land and livestock holding, annual income, occupation and herd size factors were considered to study the socio-economic status. It was observed that majority (95.42%) of the respondents had male headed ownership, more than 50 per cent in above 30 years of age category. The average family size observed was 6.21 persons. It was found that only 66.56 per cent of respondents were literate. The percent of landless, sub-marginal and marginal farmers is more than 50% and have less than 0.5 hectare land. Most of the respondents (47%) found in the category of annual income less than rupees 20000. The main profession of livestock owners was agriculture (68.44%) followed by agriculture and some other small work. Most of the respondents had small herd size. Shrinkage of grazing land, scarcity of green fodder and concentrate and poor management were the major constraints to cattle or livestock productivity.

Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana) Fodder Yield Potential and Nutritive Value under Different Levels of Phosphorus in Rainfed Conditions

Scarcity of fodder is the major limiting factor for increasing livestock production in Kenya. With rising energy costs and declining water levels in the semi-arid tropics and sub-tropics, crops that use less water like finger millet could become an alternate fodder crop. The fodder potential of three finger millet varieties (U-15, P-224 and a local check) were evaluated under four P fertilizer levels (0, 12.5, 25 and 37.5 kg ha-1 P2O5) at three sites in Kenya for two cropping seasons. The trials were laid in randomized complete block design in factorial arrangement and replicated three times. A maximum of 28,189 kg ha-1 fresh stover yield was realized in the 25 kg ha-1 P2O5 treatment and consequently 11,616 kg ha-1 dry stover yield. The 25 kg ha-1 rate elicited the highest fresh stover yield at Kakamega and Alupe for both seasons while at Kiboko a linear increase was observed on the stover yield with increasing rates where the highest rate had more than 15% yield compared to the control. The varieties also showed significant differences in all the sites with the local variety, Ikhulule, showing the highest fresh and dry stover yield at Kakamega and Alupe peaking at 28,852 and 12,826 kg ha-1 fresh and dry stover yields respectively. Interactions between variety and phosphorus rates were revealed on the crude protein content of the finger millet stover. At Kiboko, the highest crude protein (11.0%) on varieties P-224 and U-15 was exhibited at the highest rate while on the local variety, Ekalakala, the highest protein (10.9%) was realized at the 25 kg ha-1 P2O5. At Kakamega and Alupe, the highest protein was observed on the local variety, Ikhulule at 12.5 kg ha-1 P2O5 rate with variety P-224 and U-15 showing the highest at the 25 and 37.5 kg ha-1 P2O5 respectively. Therefore, finger millet can provide a unique opportunity to improve the availability of fodder to smallholder livestock farmers.

Efficacy of Calcium Borogluconate and Lime Water Therapy in Anagallis arvensis Intoxicated Cattle

Anagallis arvensis is a common weed seen in agricultural fields in Marathwada region of Maharashtra state. This weed contains different poisonous principles like glycosides, volatile oil, saponin (anagallin), tannin, and oxalates. In scarcity of fodder, cattle in some regions had exposure to Anagallis arvensis weed causing oxalic acid toxicity and nephrotic syndrome. Twenty Anagallis arvensis affected cattle were randomly distributed in two groups (Group-I; n=10 and Group-II; n=10). Anagallis arvensis intoxicated cattle of Group-I were subjected to primary therapy of calcium borogluconate @ 450 ml per cattle slow I/V, whereas, Group II cattle were treated with combination of calcium borogluconate @ 450 ml per cattle and lime water (1 kg of lime mixed to make 10 litres of water and one litre of this solution was administered twice a day) therapy. Based on improvement in clinical, haematological, biochemical parameters and recovery; parentral calcium borogluconate and oral lime water therapy along with standard supportive regimen was found highly efficacious in the treatment of Anagallis arvensis toxicity.

Monitoring of Sheep Migration in Arid Region of Rajasthan, India Using EO Data

The annual aggregate spatially normal rainfall is extremely variable and most erratic in the western arid region of Rajasthan state. As a result, it frequently experiences spells of drought. Surface water resources are also meagre and distributed unevenly. Drought is a multi-dimensional phenomenon and its direct impacts include like withering of crops, drying of watering points, reduction in fodder for livestock, etc. Such crisis eventually compels Rebari pastoralists to migrate to other places and regions as a coping mechanism against the scarcity of fodder and water in the arid zone of Rajasthan. The scarcity of fodder at any time is a function of stocking rate and carrying capacity of the system at that time, which is affected mainly by the amount of precipitation and livestock population. This has been covered through analysing migration routes and determinants by using the data collected from the ATS plus GPS Collars. It has been found that biomass density changed following grazing across gradients and ground cover. Also, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was 5-10% lower inside the grazing area than outside the grazing area.

Patterns and Drivers of Dairy Development in India: Insights from Analysis of Household and District-level Data

Traditionally, Indian farmers kept bovines, especially cattle, for draught purposes in agriculture and transportation with milk as an adjunct. However, with increasing farm mechanization and rising demand for milk, the bovine functions have shifted more towards dairying. While bovine population has been increasing, the chronic scarcity of feed and fodder reinforces the need for optimization of bovine population for sustainable growth of dairying. In this paper, using district-level data from 1997 to 2007, we show that this transformation from draught to dairying is underway in some parts of the country, and further using household-level data, we find that smallholders have contributed disproportionately more to this transformation. This transformation or intensification of dairying is demand-driven with urbanization having a strong positive influence on dairy development. On the supply-side, factors like farm mechanization, improved access to groundwater irrigation and crop diversification away from cereals, are associated with a shift in the bovine economy from draught to dairying.