Track 2-5-1: Traditional Grassland Management, Animal Husbandry, and Nomadism

Description

North Eastern states of India particularly in Manipur livestock rearing were being considered as one of the important homestead activities in the farm household. In the rural household economy, livestock is considered as an inseparable component in the whole farm business, as the production of milk and meat as well as manure, draught and transportation depends on it. It provides nutritional security to farm family and stabilizes farm income too.

As a major source of animal feeds in Manipur, fodder trees and shrubs are highly valued by farmers. They have deep root systems enabling the extraction of water and nutrients from deeper layer in the soil profile (Teferi et al., 2008). Most of these plants have high crude protein content, ranging from 10 to more than 25% on dry matter basis (Moleele 1998). Farmers have an impressive knowledge of browsed species. Involving farmers in the process of data collection is important because as potential users of new technologies to be developed, their knowledge and preferences are critical (Haugerud and Collinson 1990). However, some of the knowledge is liable to be distorted or lost completely if transfer is not done continuously.

In the present study knowledge on utilization of trees and shrubs as feed for livestock in Manipur has been described.

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Local Use and Knowledge Validation of Fodder Trees and Shrubs Resources Browsed by Livestock in Manipur (India)

North Eastern states of India particularly in Manipur livestock rearing were being considered as one of the important homestead activities in the farm household. In the rural household economy, livestock is considered as an inseparable component in the whole farm business, as the production of milk and meat as well as manure, draught and transportation depends on it. It provides nutritional security to farm family and stabilizes farm income too.

As a major source of animal feeds in Manipur, fodder trees and shrubs are highly valued by farmers. They have deep root systems enabling the extraction of water and nutrients from deeper layer in the soil profile (Teferi et al., 2008). Most of these plants have high crude protein content, ranging from 10 to more than 25% on dry matter basis (Moleele 1998). Farmers have an impressive knowledge of browsed species. Involving farmers in the process of data collection is important because as potential users of new technologies to be developed, their knowledge and preferences are critical (Haugerud and Collinson 1990). However, some of the knowledge is liable to be distorted or lost completely if transfer is not done continuously.

In the present study knowledge on utilization of trees and shrubs as feed for livestock in Manipur has been described.