Publication Date
1989
Description
The smallholder rice farmers of southern Asia can be classified as ones having small extents of cropping land, where ruminants are kept to provide farm power (Ranjhan, 1985). The majority of these farmers have 2-3 heads of cattle/buffaloes. The greatest demand of ruminant fodder in the developing countries of Asia is seen to be in the smallholder cropping sector (Remenyi and Mc William, 1985), primarily due to the high concentration of animals and reduced land availability for fodder production. Thus, studies (e.g. Gutteridge, 1983) show the feasibility of using fallow periods in rice culture for fodder production. As similar studies have not been reported in Sri Lanka, where rice is cultivated twice a year, a study was carried out in the midcountry wet zone of the island, where rice is cultivated under rainfed conditions on smallholdings. A principal factor of selecting this zone was the predominent use of buffaloes in rice culture. The objective was to evaluate the feasibility of growing a fodder legume with minimal management during the fallow period in between rainfed rice seasons. The study also evaluated the beneficial effects accrued to the succeeding rice crops by the legume.
Citation
Sangakkara, U R., "Forage Legumes as a Component of Smallholder Rice Farming Systems - A Case Study" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 7.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session11/7
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Forage Legumes as a Component of Smallholder Rice Farming Systems - A Case Study
The smallholder rice farmers of southern Asia can be classified as ones having small extents of cropping land, where ruminants are kept to provide farm power (Ranjhan, 1985). The majority of these farmers have 2-3 heads of cattle/buffaloes. The greatest demand of ruminant fodder in the developing countries of Asia is seen to be in the smallholder cropping sector (Remenyi and Mc William, 1985), primarily due to the high concentration of animals and reduced land availability for fodder production. Thus, studies (e.g. Gutteridge, 1983) show the feasibility of using fallow periods in rice culture for fodder production. As similar studies have not been reported in Sri Lanka, where rice is cultivated twice a year, a study was carried out in the midcountry wet zone of the island, where rice is cultivated under rainfed conditions on smallholdings. A principal factor of selecting this zone was the predominent use of buffaloes in rice culture. The objective was to evaluate the feasibility of growing a fodder legume with minimal management during the fallow period in between rainfed rice seasons. The study also evaluated the beneficial effects accrued to the succeeding rice crops by the legume.
