Fodder bank
Livestock are an integral
component of small and medium-scale farms in India for both subsistence
purposes and as a means for income. About 55% of the net sown area of the
country is under rainfed condition. It is also the home to two third of the
livestock. Scarcity of feed and fodder during drought years in rainfed area
often pose a serious threat to the livestock population. Establishment of
village level community fodder bank can be a climate change adaptation option to
meet the fodder demand in lean periods with limited resources available
Once established, can not
only meet the fodder demand in lean periods with limited resource available but
also make use of the wasteland and other uncultivable land. Fodder banks can be
taken up by a group of farmers to raise and maintain high quality fodder to
meet fodder requirement in dry months in the village. Marginal and unproductive
land also common land of village can be used for this purpose. A mixture of tree, grass and legume fodder species of both annual
and perennial nature suitable for rainfed condition is highly preferable to
meet the nutritional demand of livestock and ensure supply of fodder throughout
the year.