DARSHAN, K A2019-07-052019-07-052005http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810112203India is bestowed with a largest ruminant population comprising of 222 million cattle, 95 million buffaloes (FAO, 2002), contributing about 36 per cent of the worldâ s ruminant population, with only two per cent of the world geographical area. In India 80 per cent of large ruminants are maintained by small farmers and economically weaker section of the society. Due to low purchasing capacity they face difficulties in feeding their livestock. Hence, crop residue and other byproducts are used as principal source of feed for large ruminants.Thesis