Pasture Development and Animal Sustainability in India
Pasture is land with vegetation cover used for grazing of livestock as part of farm or in ranching or other unenclosed pastoral systems or used by wild animals for grazing or browsing. Prior to the advent of factory farming, pasture was the primary source of food for grazing animals such as cattle and horses (Roy, 2009). It is still used extensively, particularly in arid regions where pasture land is unsuitable for any other agricultural production. In more humid regions, pasture grazing is exploited extensively for free grazing is exploited extensively for free range and organic farming. Pasture growth can consist of grasses, legumes, other forbs, shrubs or a mixture. Soil type, minimum annual temperature, and rainfall are important factors in pasture management. This spreads over area of 12 million ha and about 3.94% of the geographical area of the country. The distribution of pasture lands are mostly noticed in the states like Himachal Pradesh (36.44%), Sikkim (13.31%), Karnataka (6.54%), Madhya Pradesh (6.35%), Rajasthan (5.39%), Maharashtra (5.11%) and Gujarat (4.49%) (Kunduet al., 2005).
India’s livestock sector is one of the largest in the world, supporting the livelihoods of millions of rural households and contributing significantly to the country’s economy. A key component of this sector is pasturelands, which play a crucial role in providing nutrition for livestock. However, pasturelands in India have faced various challenges, including degradation and overgrazing. This essay explores the importance of pasture development in ensuring animal sustainability in India, the challenges faced, and potential solutions to enhance the role of pastures in the country’s livestock sector.
PASTURE MANAGEMENT
Management is the key to healthy, productive pastures. Controlled, rotational, or management-intensive grazing has increased forage production for many producers. Skillfully using livestock to harvest forages leads to improved soil fertility, diverse, dense, and useful pasture ecology, and an extended grazing season. Fertile soil and productive pastures, in turn, support healthy animals. Well-managed forage systems contribute to an operation’s sustainability in several important ways: 1) Lands most susceptible to erosion (or otherwise unsuitable for annual crops) can be maintained as permanent sod. 2) Land used for row crops benefits from a year or more in pasture as part of a crop rotation plan. The life cycles of annual weeds and other crop pests are interrupted during the pasture years of the rotation. 3) Soil fertility improves as the content of organic matter increases under good grazing management. 4) Soil structure improves over time as compaction and hardpan is reduced. 5) Ruminants (cattle, sheep, deer, goat) thrive in a better balanced agroecosystem and produce milk, meat, and fiber from grasses that cannot be digested by humans. Livestock eat excess plant materials while animal wastes contribute nutrients for plant growth. 6) Marketing meat, milk, fiber, and other animal products can diversify producer income. The grazing activity is mainly dependent on the availability of the grazing resources from pastures and other grazing lands viz. forests, various trees, crops and groves, cultivable wastelands and fallow land. India contributes 15% of the world livestock population while it has 2% of world’s geographical area and cropping area under fodder production is about 8.3 million ha (4.4%) (Roy, 2009).
The managemental practices of grassland and pasture include the following steps:
A) Selection of the plant species. B) Establishment and renovation of pasture and grassland. C) Management of grasslands and pastures.
A) Selection of the plant species-The selection of plant species for the pasture will not only depend on its nutritive value but also on several factors like purpose of the pasture soil , climate of the area and system of pasture which is being followed.
B) ESTABLISHMENT OF PASTURE 1) Land clearing- The bushes of inedible and poisonous plant type should be destroyed. Clearing can be done by mechanical, chemical or by other methods. MechanicalThe big bushes can be removed either using hand tools or machines. The use of machines like tractors is limited to the plains.
Controlled burning- Benefits of burning are: (1) Removal of old growth (2) Partial control of unwanted bushes, diseases and pests.
Limitations of burning are: (1) increased erosion (2) Injury to other vegetation like trees (3) Loss of organic matter and nitrogen (4) Exposure of soil.
Chemical application– Some of the herbicides used are 2, 4-D; 2, 4, 5-T; and Dicamba. The concentrated mineral acids can be used to kill the undesirable biomass.
2) Seeding and planting of desired species: The season of the seeding or planting vary from region to region depending on the climatic factors.
The quantity of grass seed and legume should be calculated keeping in view the desired grass: legume ratio in the pasture and weight of the seed. While seeding, should be taken that the seeds are dormant. The seed treatment against various insects, pests and diseases may be done prior to sowing. The seeding can be done either through broadcasting or with the help of a seed drill. The grass seeds are usually broadcasted while legume seeds are sowed in rows at a distance of 20-25cm. Although seeding is easier transplantation of seedling is also practiced. Some species of grass/legume can be propagated by root slips or stem cuttings.
3) Application of fertilizer: Fertilizer application is required in the eroded and low fertility soil and is necessary for the boosting of initial growth of grass/legume mixture, at the same time to correct the acute deficiencies of nutrients in the soil. At first, a basal application of 5 tones of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) along with 40 kg N and 20 kg P2O5 per hectare land is to be mixed in the soil. After 1month of establishment a top dressing with another 20 kg N/ ha is given. In subsequent years mixture of 20 kg N + 20 kg P2O5 / ha is beneficial after shower of rain.
4) Care of newly established grassland: The newly seeded or planted forage species are susceptible to the environmental changes. These are dominated by the precursors of earlier biomass it the initial phase. The weeding is therefore necessary, unwanted grasses should be removed as well as re-growth occurring as harmful bush should also be removed. The birds eat the cotyledons therefore a watch on the bird is required. The entry of the animals and grazing on the pasture should be avoided during first year of growth, for this fencing can be provided. The pasture should be irrigated during winter and summer depending upon the irrigation facility and intensity of rain in the area.
5) Establishing pasture with partial cleaning: For establishment following measures can be adopted1) Removal of the thorny and harmful bushes and undesired toxic plant species. 2) Seeding and planting of the desired species of legumes. 3) Application of the fertilizers. 4) The proper care of the pasture to maintain suitable grass – legume ratio of the herbage. 5) Regular removal of the unwanted plant species. 6) In case the legumes are not present in suitable ratio (1: 1), reseeding or re- planting of legume in pasture is required.
C) MANAGEMENT OF PASTURE The management of the pasture and grassland is necessary to obtain maximum livestock production and at the same time conserving the fertility of the land along with soil conservation. 1) Proper harvesting schedule of grasslegume pasture- The harvesting schedule of the pasture may be fixed on the basis of agro – climatic conditions and the type of vegetation in the pasture. The intensity of harvesting also influences the total yield of the forage mixture and the longevity of the pasture. In the monsoon fed area of the northern India, 2-3 cutting can be done, in areas with rainfall throughout the year 6-8 cutting is required and in area where irrigation facility is present 8-10 cutting is required. 2) Renovation of the pasture – regular care should be taken to correct the grasslegume ratio still after every 3 years the renovation program should be implemented. 3) Managing livestock on pasture- the herbage production of the entire pasture and the intake of herbage by the animal together determine the capacity of the pasture. The mixing of animals of different feeding habit together while grazing results in efficient utilization of herbage. The practice of grazing buffaloes, cows, sheep and goat together is a common practice in India. The cows which clip are followed by buffaloes in the pasture. The sheep graze at ground level follow the cow and buffalo, while goat browse on bushes. Overcrowding and overstocking should be avoided. The grazing on the pasture should be done on the following basis – a) Stocking rate and Carrying capacity of the grassland- stocking rate is the amount of land located to each animal unit for the entire grazable period of the year. Carrying capacity is defined as the maximum no. of animals that an area of land support on the sustainable basis, expressed as stocking rate in ha / animal unit. b) Growth rate of the herbage. c) Type of animals.
FUTURE THRUST Forage production must be taken up as a first management goal and 25% of the forest area should be put under trees with regulated accessibility to the farmers. Growing forage grasses and fodder trees along village roads and panchayat lands Growing forage grasses and fodder trees on terrace risers/bunds- a non competitive land use system Conservation of native biodiversity for future improvement. Breeding biotic, abiotic, stress tolerant cultivars of forage species suitable for area not used under arable agriculture. Participatory techniques to be adopted to identify the problems and to carry out the improvement programme. In-depth studies on migratory graziers Forage based agro forestry systems Controlled grazing to maintain the productivity of pasture (grazing should be allowed as per carrying capacity).
Significance of Pasture Development
- Nutrition for Livestock: Pastures are a vital source of nutrition for livestock, providing natural forage that is essential for their health and productivity.
- Economic Livelihood: Pasture-based livestock farming is a significant source of income for rural communities. It contributes to the livelihoods of farmers, herders, and other stakeholders.
- Biodiversity: Well-managed pastures contribute to biodiversity conservation by providing habitats for various plant and animal species.
- Reducing Feed Costs: Pastures reduce the dependence on costly supplemental feeds, making livestock farming more economically sustainable.
Challenges Faced by Pasturelands in India
- Overgrazing: Overgrazing is a common issue in India, leading to pasture degradation and reduced forage availability for livestock.
- Land Use Changes: Increasing pressure on land due to urbanization and agriculture has led to the conversion of pasturelands into other land uses.
- Invasive Species: Invasive plant species can outcompete native forage species, reducing the quality of pasturelands.
- Soil Erosion: Poor pasture management can lead to soil erosion, further degrading the land.
III. Potential Solutions for Pasture Development
- Sustainable Grazing Practices: Implementing rotational grazing and rest periods for pastures can prevent overgrazing and promote regrowth.
- Forage Species Selection: Choosing appropriate forage species that are well-suited to the local climate and soil conditions can enhance pasture quality.
- Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into pasturelands can provide additional forage, shade, and soil conservation benefits.
- Water Management: Access to water is crucial for livestock. Developing water sources in or near pastures can improve their utilization.
- Community-Based Management: Involving local communities in pasture management decisions can lead to more sustainable practices and better outcomes for all stakeholders.
Government Initiatives
- National Livestock Mission: The Indian government has introduced the National Livestock Mission (NLM), which includes programs to improve pasture and fodder development.
- MGNREGA: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has provisions for watershed development, which can benefit pasturelands by addressing soil erosion and water management.
- Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): RKVY includes components for improving fodder production and distribution, benefiting both farmers and livestock.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
- Improved Animal Productivity: Well-maintained pastures lead to healthier and more productive livestock, resulting in increased income for farmers.
- Erosion Control: Healthy pastures can reduce soil erosion, leading to improved soil health and better water retention.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Proper pasture management contributes to biodiversity conservation by preserving habitats for various plant and animal species.
- Climate Resilience: Sustainable pastures can enhance the resilience of livestock farming to climate change by providing consistent forage availability.
Conclusion
Pasture development is integral to ensuring the sustainability of livestock farming in India. It provides the necessary nutrition for animals, supports rural livelihoods, and contributes to biodiversity and environmental conservation. However, challenges such as overgrazing, land use changes, and invasive species must be addressed. By implementing sustainable grazing practices, selecting appropriate forage species, and involving local communities, India can harness the potential of its pasturelands for the benefit of both livestock and the environment. Government initiatives and policies further support these efforts, reinforcing the importance of pasture development in India’s livestock sector. Ultimately, a well-managed pasture is not just a source of food for livestock; it is a foundation for the sustainable and holistic growth of the livestock industry in the country. It may be concluded that the forage production situation in the region is very alarming and corrective measures have to be taken to improve the same. Delineation of the area for various agricultural activities should be created and adhered under legislation. A comprehensive grazing policy needs to be formulated for the entire zone. Both grazing and forage cultivation has to be considered complementary to each other and simultaneous efforts are required to improve the both. Fodder tree improvement programmes for higher leaf fodder have to be initiated. In order to improve the grasslands, the grassland management needs to be considered holistically promoting the interaction between grassland, livestock and the grazing communities, so that this vast natural resource can serve human society substantially, more particularly grazing communities of the region.
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the
Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
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Reference-On Request.
