UTILIZATION OF FORAGE RESOURCES IN KANDI BELT OF JAMMU REGION
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Date
2017
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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu
Abstract
India is an agrarian country. Besides agriculture livestock is an important component in the Indian economy. The milk yield and care and management of animals depend upon the quality and quantity of feed animals consume. A wide gap exists between demand and supply of forages in the country and becomes more serious when we talk of rainfed areas. Due to small fragmented land holdings and non availability of irrigation the farmers of rainfed areas do not compromise with the main crop to cultivate fodder, Therefore a study “entitled” Utilization pattern of Forage Resources in Kandi Belt of Jammu Region was taken up in purposively selected two rainfed districts viz; Samba and Kathua of Jammu region. Nine villages from each district and 6 blocks were selected purposively Thus, from 18 villages 144 respondents were selected randomly for study purpose. The data revealed that majority (72.91%) of the farmers were lying in the age group of 43-68 years with a mean of 55±13.Nearly one half (47.93%) of the responds were having family size of 5-10 members. Regarding educational level 37.51 per cent of the respondents were matriculate with a mean of 8.25±4.14. For majority (72.91%) of the farmers. Agriculture+labour was main occupation and 116 farmers having marginal land holding below1ha. Agricultural+labour was main source of income for 72.91 per cent of the farmers. Only 4.67 per cent of the farmers were having social participation in the community organisations or other social institutions. Cent percent respondents were aware about the developmental scheme KCC but only a meagre percentage (02.77) have availed the loan facility. Majority (95.13%) of the forage growing farmers had not attended the training programme. Cow contributed a major share (61.62%) as far as live stock possession is concerned. More than two-third (68.05%) of the respondents were having medium level (score 6-9) of information sources with an average score of 7.56±2.25. Dhaman (Grewia optiva) was leading wild grown Agroforestry tree possessed by the farmers(18,365 number ). Lowest numbers of trees owned by the respondents was mulberry. Agrisiliviculture was identified as major Agroforestry category as it was possessed by cent percent of the respondents. Only 06.27 per cent respondents were having Silivipastural Agroforestry systems. More than three fourth (78.47%) of the respondents would feed Maize forage to the cow always and cent percent respondents would feed Wheat straw to cow and buffalo always respectively. All respondents would feed Ber (ziziphus sps.) tree leaves to the Cow, Buffalo and Goat always. With regard to Agroforestry trees, Dhaman (Grewia optiva) was fed by respondents to the animals (Cow, Buffalo, Goat) regularly. As far as utilisation pattern of the forages is concerned Ber had maximum utilisation in fuel, fencing fodder and fruit as cent per cent of the farmers respondents ‘yes’ on these utilisations. All farmers would utilized Dhaman for Fuel and Fodder purpose. Lowest utilisation was in case of Mulbery as overall only ten farmers reported its utilisation in fuel, fodder and fruit in two districts. Regarding types of crop forage given to the animals dry fodder of Maize and Wheat was utilized by cent per cent of the farmers for feeding the animals. Concentrate like Dalha of Barley was given to the animals by 10.41 percent of the respondents. Among eight independent factors only family size was found to be significant with utilisation of Agro forestry trees. Z proportion showed significant difference. There was significant difference in perception with regard to utilization of tree species was observed in two districts, by applying Z proportion. The major constraints encountered by the respondents were, lack of irrigation facilitates, crop damaged by stray animals and lack of training programmes.
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