Author(s):

VN Gautam, Shraddha Shrivastava, Amir Amin Sheikh, Rakshanda Bhagat and Gowher Gull Sheikh

Abstract: Livestock rearing plays a significant role in the economy of India. Globalization has increase demand for milk and other dairy products worldwide. The Indian dairy sector is characterized by an inadequate supply of fodder and lack of knowledge on feeding. The fodder scarcity affects most of the farmers especially small and landless livestock keepers. It is documented that crop residues especially rice and wheat arethe main fodder that constitutes about 44 % feed requirements of cattle in India ^[1]. Thus itcalls to understand the problems in fodder production, traditional utilization pattern andknowledge about quality for fodder. A general agreement is that there is a shortage of 40.4% dry fodder and 24.7% green fodder against the requirement of 650.7 and 761.5 million tones (Mt) for dry and green fodder respectively ^[2]. In India, there is a deficit of green fodder, particularly during the summer season. In India, only 4.4% of the cultivated area is under fodder crops with annual total forage production of 846 Mt. Male populations from rural areas in India is migrating to cities for their livelihood leaving their family behind. This advocates proper training and policy support to women for maximization of quality fodder production and employment generation at household level. This would help in improved nutrition status and economic upliftment of rural population.

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