Perennial Fodder production in Pakistan

Fodder Production: Pakistan is blessed with diversified livestock. There are more number of livestock in Pakistan, livestock not only provide milk but also provide meat, alleviation of poverty of small holder farmers.

Livestock accounts about 11.5% in national GDP and 55% in agriculture. Livestock population is increasing at the rate of 4.2% per year. This increasing population of the livestock has increased the demand of fodder.

Therefore, livestock growth and development depend upon proper supply of nutritious fodder. In Pakistan, livestock requirement is mainly accomplish by fodder because fodder are the cheapest sources of feed for livestock. Due to industrialization and urbanization agriculture area decreasing day by day.

There are two season in which farmers face fodder shortage. One in winter months (November to January) and second in summer (from May to June) .total area of Pakistan under cultivation is 22.6 million hectares in which 10.3% is under fodder cultivation.

• Share of different provinces in fodder production is as follows

Punjab                        82.56%

Sindh                           11.50%

Baluchistan                  1.46%

KPk                                 4.48%

Feed Sources for livestock

Sources                                                contribution %

Fodder and crop residue                                      51

Cereal by product                                                   06

Forage /grazing                                                        38

Post-harvest grazing                                               03

Meals                                                                          02

Conventional fodder under cultivation

Conventional fodder which are grown for livestock. Some fodder are grown in summer and some fodder are grown in winter.

Kharif fodder (summer)

Kharif fodder are known are known as summer fodder. Kharif fodder include Sorghum, Millet, and Sorghum Sudan hybrid, Guar, Maize used as kharif fodder. Kharif fodder have less crude protein but high fiber content.

Rabi fodder (winter)

Rabi fodder are known as winter fodder. Rabi fodder include Berseem, Lucerne, Shaftal, and Rape & Mustard as Rabi fodder. Rabi fodder have higher crude protein but less fiber content.

Fodder production by perennial fodder

Now a days, severe fodder shortage in Pakistan. Therefore, perennial fodder decrease fodder shortage period and increase fodder production for livestock.

Perennial fodder include Mott grass and Rhode grass. Perennial fodder are called evergreen fodders. Which are planted once in a year and give production many year.

Mott grass

Mott grass is a perennial fodder give three to four cuts in a year. Per cut Mott grass production is 25 to 30 tons. 3 to 4 cuts Mott grass production is 120 tons. Mott grass reduce the cultural practices and seed cost. Life cycle of Mott grass is 7 to 8 year.

Rhode grass

Rhode grass is a perennial fodder gives three cuts in a year. Per cut Rhode grass production is 30 tons. 3 cuts Rhode grass production is 120 tons. Rhode grass reduce the cultural practices and seed cost. Life cycle of Rhode grass is 7 year.

Factors that can increase fodder production

• Use of those seed which have higher fodder production
• Timely cultivation increase fodder production
• Timely use of herbicide
• Timely harvesting increase fodder production

Authors:Arslan Ali*¹, Akhtar Abbas¹, Rashid Rafique¹,Umair Rasool Azmi² ,Tahawar Ali Syed³

¹Seed Physiology Lab, Department of Agronomy, ²Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, ³Department of Entomology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad-38040, Pakistan.

 * Corresponding Author Email: arslanali_y4u@yahoo.com