Nutritional potential of natural and cultivated fodders in Uttarakhand: A comprehensive review paper

Abstract:

Livestock are integral to Uttarakhand's rural socio-economy, providing income, food security, and employment across its diverse Himalayan landscape. Fodder availability and quality are crucial for animal productivity and the socio-economic stability of the large population engaged in mixed crop-livestock farming. This paper reviews the diverse natural and cultivated fodder resources available across Uttarakhand's distinct physiographic regions and forest types. Natural fodder, predominantly from forests, is vital, especially in hilly regions and lean seasons, including diverse tree leaves, shrubs, and grasses, offering varied nutritional profiles. Fodder availability varies significantly with forest type and altitude, from seasonal flushes in lower deciduous forests to crucial winter lopped fodder in temperate forests and summer alpine grazing. Cultivated fodder is indispensable, particularly in the Tarai plains and as hill supplementation, encompassing seasonal crops (Kharif, Rabi, Zaid) like maize, berseem, and cowpea, alongside perennial options such as Hybrid Napier and Lucerne for continuous, high-yielding production. Crop residues (wheat, paddy straw, millet residues) provide essential dry roughage during scarcity. Altitudinal variations define fodder availability, from intensive cultivated systems in the Tarai plains (e.g., "Hybrid Napier + Berseem" sequences) to mixed forest and agricultural reliance in the Foothills. Effectively integrating diverse fodder varieties with sustainable management practices is vital for enhancing livestock productivity and ensuring rural socio-economic stability in Uttarakhand.