Cactus-based fodder: A water-rich lifeline for sustainable dairy production

Abstract

Livestock production is a vital component of agriculture in India, contributing significantly to food security, rural employment, and the national economy. More than 70% of rural households depend directly or indirectly on livestock for their livelihoods. Milk, meat, draft power, and manure are among the many services derived from cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and other farm animals. Despite the vast size of India’s livestock population, the productivity of our animals remains comparatively low. One of the principal reasons is the persistent shortage of quality feed and fodder. As per ICAR-IGFRI vision bulletin-2050, India faces a deficit of about 35% in green fodder and 10–12% in dry fodder availability. This gap between demand and supply is widening with the increase in livestock population, shrinking pasture lands, and growing competition for arable land between food, feed, and fuel crops. Spineless cactus emerges as a highly effective solution to address green fodder scarcity, particularly, in arid, semi-arid, and drought-prone areas. Its unique biology, higher water use efficiency and wider adaptability makes it a climate-resilient forage crop capable of supporting
livestock during the dry season.