Forage demand and supply in western Himalaya: A balance sheet for Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

A study was carried in Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh to understand the forage demand and supply for livestock in Himachal Pradesh, and to calculate the balance s~eet of forages for the state. Though livestock rearing plays a significant role in the economy of the region, yet forage cultivation has remained almost neglected. In Himachal Pradesh grasslands/pastures produce far below their potential and their carrying capacity is only 1.05 ACU (adult cattle unit with average body weight of350 kg). The seconday sources, key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews and structured interviews and representative focussed PRA's were used to obtain information and drawing the conclusions. The cattle (41 %) constitute the major share oflivestock in the state followed by goats (22.0%). About 41.0% ofthe total geographical area in the state is under natural grasslands. The district-wise forage resources analysis shows that Chamba has the highest area available for grazing (21%) followed by Mandi and Kangra. The availability of green and dry fodder from all the available resources in the state was 3145 and 5298 thousand tonnes, while the demand is 6205 and II 516 thousand tonnes, respectively, indicating a gap of 26 and 54%, respectively. Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti districts showed a surplus fodder in terms of total dry matter basis, while in the other districts of the state there is shortage of green and dry fodder. The grazing pressure and grazing intensity for the state were 1.26 ACU/ha and 0.79 haJACU. Fodder of high nutritive quality needs to be promoted to meet the increasing demand. Adoption offarm forestry, agro-forestry, silvipastures, hortipastures, forage on bunds and integration of fodder crops in the main cereal crop sequences etc. scheme would also help in meeting the fodder demand. There is also a need for promoting grasses and fodder development programmes.