Track 2-4-1: Water Harvesting, Watershed Management, Water Use Efficiency and Eco-Hydrology
Description
Out of 140.02 million ha cultivated area of the country, 76.76 million ha (54.82 %) is rainfed having soils with poor fertility and numerous physiochemical constraints. The productivity of animals is very low because of shortage of green fodder during most of the years. The poor feed quality and dry season feed shortage are the serious limitations for livestock production in rainfed areas & farmers maintain a large herd of animals to compensate for the low productivity of the livestock, which adds to the pressure on land and fodder resources (Pathak, 2005).
Western Maharashtra region suffers from very low rainfall with uncertainty and ill distribution. Occurrence of drought noticed once in three years. The water scarcity and delayed monsoon are major problems of crop production. The efforts needed to increase production through suitable agro forestry system fit to the land, climate and resources. Incorporation of trees and bushes particularly of fodder values in agricultural production system through a systematic manner will help in providing sufficient fodder to the farmers without affecting arable crop yields (Deb Roy, 1994).
Cenchrus ciliaris and Dichanthium anulatum are potential fast growing range grasses and having good regeneration capacity and can withstand moisture stress for fairly long time. Desmanthus, Siratro and Stylosanthes are legume fodder species which give nutritious fodder and could be grown under rainfed situations. Grasses and legume contributed to binding and soil stabilization due to their extensive root system. The overall impact of the soil conservation measures and pastoral systems resulted in increased infiltration rate, reduced soil loss and increased water stable aggregates. Therefore high productive, more palatable, perennial and persistent legumes like Stylosanthes and Desmanthus are thought to be the best suitable to overcome protein deficiency. Keeping the above points in view, the present study was undertaken to develop appropriate fodder production technology under rainfed conditions through moisture conservation.
Included in
Effect of Planting Methods and Forage Crop Combinations on Fodder Productivity through Moisture Conservation
Out of 140.02 million ha cultivated area of the country, 76.76 million ha (54.82 %) is rainfed having soils with poor fertility and numerous physiochemical constraints. The productivity of animals is very low because of shortage of green fodder during most of the years. The poor feed quality and dry season feed shortage are the serious limitations for livestock production in rainfed areas & farmers maintain a large herd of animals to compensate for the low productivity of the livestock, which adds to the pressure on land and fodder resources (Pathak, 2005).
Western Maharashtra region suffers from very low rainfall with uncertainty and ill distribution. Occurrence of drought noticed once in three years. The water scarcity and delayed monsoon are major problems of crop production. The efforts needed to increase production through suitable agro forestry system fit to the land, climate and resources. Incorporation of trees and bushes particularly of fodder values in agricultural production system through a systematic manner will help in providing sufficient fodder to the farmers without affecting arable crop yields (Deb Roy, 1994).
Cenchrus ciliaris and Dichanthium anulatum are potential fast growing range grasses and having good regeneration capacity and can withstand moisture stress for fairly long time. Desmanthus, Siratro and Stylosanthes are legume fodder species which give nutritious fodder and could be grown under rainfed situations. Grasses and legume contributed to binding and soil stabilization due to their extensive root system. The overall impact of the soil conservation measures and pastoral systems resulted in increased infiltration rate, reduced soil loss and increased water stable aggregates. Therefore high productive, more palatable, perennial and persistent legumes like Stylosanthes and Desmanthus are thought to be the best suitable to overcome protein deficiency. Keeping the above points in view, the present study was undertaken to develop appropriate fodder production technology under rainfed conditions through moisture conservation.
