Research and Reviews : Journal of Crop science and Technology Review Article

Optimizing Green Fodder Availability: Strategic Roadmaps for Sustainable Dairy Development in the Tropics

  1. Md. Emran Hossain Department of Animal Science and Nutrition, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University

Abstract

The growing demand for dairy products in tropical regions underscores the urgent need to optimize green fodder availability for sustainable dairy farming.The growing demand for dairy products in tropical regions underscores the urgent need to optimize green fodder availability for sustainable dairy farming. Green fodder serves as a vital source of nutrition for dairy cows, directly influencing milk yield, animal health, and overall farm profitability. However, challenges such as limited land availability, erratic weather patterns, and competition for resources hinder consistent fodder production. This review highlights innovative strategies to enhance green fodder availability, including the adoption of high-yielding fodder species, integration of agroforestry systems, utilization of hydroponic and vertical farming techniques, and efficient crop rotation practices. Special emphasis is placed on the role of climate-resilient fodder varieties and precision agriculture technologies to mitigate environmental constraints. The importance of community-based initiatives, such as fodder banks and cooperative farming models, is also discussed as a means to ensure year-round fodder supply. By synthesizing recent advances and practical approaches, this study provides a comprehensive roadmap for improving green fodder accessibility in the tropics. These strategies aim to foster sustainable dairy development while addressing nutritional security, environmental conservation, and economic viability. Optimizing green fodder resources can revolutionize dairy farming in the tropics, promoting resilience and sustainability in an era of growing agricultural challenges.

Keywords

References (74)

  1. Dhamodharan P, Bhuvaneshwari J, Sowmiya S, Chinnadurai R. Revitalizing fodder production: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Research in Agronomy. 2024;7(1):208-217. doi:10.33545/2618060x.2024.v7.i1c.215
  2. Daduwal HS, Bhardwaj R, Srivastava RK. Pearl millet a promising fodder crop for changing climate: a review. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 2024;137(7). doi:10.1007/s00122-024-04671-4
  3. Ahamed MS, Sultan M, Shamshiri RR, Rahman MM, Aleem M, Balasundram SK. Present status and challenges of fodder production in controlled environments: A review. Smart Agricultural Technology. 2023;3:100080. doi:10.1016/j.atech.2022.100080
  4. Kumar S, Singh P, Devi U, Yathish KR, Saujanya PL, Kumar R, et al. An overview of the current fodder scenario and the potential for improving fodder productivity through genetic interventions in India. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology. 2023;23(3):631-644. doi:10.5958/0974-181x.2023.00054.9
  5. Johannsen K. Just Fodder: The Ethics of Feeding Animals, written by Josh Milburn (2022). Journal of Moral Philosophy. 2023;20(5-6):588-591. doi:10.1163/17455243-20050013
  6. Kumar P, Singh J, Kaur G, Adunola PM, Biswas A, Bazzer S, et al. OMICS in Fodder Crops: Applications, Challenges, and Prospects. Current Issues in Molecular Biology. 2022;44(11):5440-5473. doi:10.3390/cimb44110369
  7. Boote KJ, Adesogan AT, Balehegn M, Duncan A, Muir JP, Dubeux JCB, et al. Fodder development in sub‐Saharan Africa: An introduction. Agronomy Journal. 2021;114(1):1-7. doi:10.1002/agj2.20924
  8. J. C. Dagar, “Potentials for Fodder Production in Degraded Lands,” 2017, researchgate.net. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/J-Dagar-2/publication/316155472_Potentials_of_fodder_production_in_degraded_lands/links/59b10f3ea6fdcc3f888dcde3/Potentials-of-fodder-production-in-degraded-lands.pdf
  9. Walker DH, Thorne PJ, Sinclair FL, Thapa B, Wood CD, Subba DB. A systems approach to comparing indigenous and scientific knowledge: consistency and discriminatory power of indigenous and laboratory assessment of the nutritive value of tree fodder. Agricultural Systems. 1999;62(2):87-103. doi:10.1016/s0308-521x(99)00058-x
  10. S. Liz Thomas and U. C. Thomas, “Innovative Techniques in Fodder Production-a Review,” 2019, forageresearch.in. [Online]. Available: http://forageresearch.in
  11. Sumberg J. The logic of fodder legumes in Africa. Food Policy. 2002;27(3):285-300. doi:10.1016/s0306-9192(02)00019-2
  12. Chaudhary DP, Jat SL, Kumar R, Kumar A, Kumar B. Fodder Quality of Maize: Its Preservation. Maize: Nutrition Dynamics and Novel Uses. 2013:153-160. doi:10.1007/978-81-322-1623-0_13
  13. Varfolomeev SD, Wasserman LA. Microalgae as source of biofuel, food, fodder, and medicines. Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology. 2011;47(9):789-807. doi:10.1134/s0003683811090079
  14. Toth GG, Nair PKR, Duffy CP, Franzel SC. Constraints to the adoption of fodder tree technology in Malawi. Sustainability Science. 2017;12(5):641-656. doi:10.1007/s11625-017-0460-2
  15. Mekoya A, Oosting SJ, Fernandez-Rivera S, Van der Zijpp AJ. Farmers’ perceptions about exotic multipurpose fodder trees and constraints to their adoption. Agroforestry Systems. 2007;73(2):141-153. doi:10.1007/s10457-007-9102-5
  16. Ayele S, Duncan A, Larbi A, Khanh TT. Enhancing innovation in livestock value chains through networks: Lessons from fodder innovation case studies in developing countries. Science and Public Policy. 2012;39(3):333-346. doi:10.1093/scipol/scs022
  17. Wambugu C, Place F, Franzel S. Research, development and scaling-up the adoption of fodder shrub innovations in East Africa. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. 2011;9(1):100-109. doi:10.3763/ijas.2010.0562
  18. Rogers ME, Craig AD, Munns RE, Colmer TD, Nichols PGH, Malcolm CV, et al. Corrigendum to: The potential for developing fodder plants for the salt-affected areas of southern and eastern Australia: an overview. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 2006;46(12):1665-1665. doi:10.1071/ea04020_co
  19. Le Houerou HN. Utilization of Fodder Trees and Shrubs in the Arid and Semiarid Zones of West Asia and North Africa. Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation. 2000;14(2):101-135. doi:10.1080/089030600263058
  20. Karbivska U, Kurgak V, Gamayunova V, Butenko A, Malynka L, Kovalenko I, et al. Productivity and Quality of Diverse Ripe Pasture Grass Fodder Depends on the Method of Soil Cultivation. Acta Agrobotanica. 2020;73(3). doi:10.5586/aa.7334
  21. Misra R. Tropical pasture and fodder plants. Agro-Ecosystems. 1978;4(3):410-411. doi:10.1016/0304-3746(78)90007-0
  22. A. Nefzaoui and H. B. Salem, “Forage, fodder, and animal nutrition,” Cacti Biol. uses, 2002, [Online]. Available: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ZqMlDQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA199&dq=fodder&ots=7SsRanjuWk&sig=EHd-J6vzcVjKUklRkmKkQ0FpadY
  23. N. Shit, “Hydroponic Fodder Production: An Alternative Technology for Sustainable Livestock Production in India,” 2019, animalmedicalresearch.org. [Online]. Available: https://animalmedicalresearch.org/Vol.9_Issue-2_December_2019/HYDROPONIC FODDER PRODUCTION.pdf
  24. I. K. Dawson et al., “Agroforestry , livestock , fodder production and climate change adaptation and mitigation in East Africa: issues and options,” 2014, researchgate.net. [Online]. Available: http://www.worldagroforestry.org/downloads/Publications/PDFS/WP14050.pdf
  25. Singh DN, Bohra JS, Tyagi V, Singh T, Banjara TR, Gupta G. A review of India’s fodder production status and opportunities. Grass and Forage Science. 2022;77(1):1-10. doi:10.1111/gfs.12561
  26. L. Mal, S. Kumar, A. K. Sharma, and S. C. Deshmukh, Effect of integrated weed management on growth and yield of soybean, vol. 17, no. 1. indianjournals.com, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ijws&volume=45&issue=3&article=016&type=fulltext
  27. Paterson* RT, Karanja GM, Nyaata OZ, Kariuki IW, Roothaert RL. A review of tree fodder production and utilization within smallholder agroforestry systems in Kenya. Agroforestry Systems. 1998;41(2):181-199. doi:10.1023/a:1006066128640
  28. Kautz T, Stumm C, Kösters R, Köpke U. Effects of perennial fodder crops on soil structure in agricultural headlands. Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science. 2010;173(4):490-501. doi:10.1002/jpln.200900216
  29. Rajaganapa V, Xavier F, Sreekumar D, Mandal PK. Heavy Metal Contamination in Soil, Water and Fodder and their Presence in Livestock and Products : A Review. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 2011;4(3):234-249. doi:10.3923/jest.2011.234.249
  30. Jat RS, Ahlawat IPS. Direct and Residual Effect of Vermicompost, Biofertilizers and Phosphorus on Soil Nutrient Dynamics and Productivity of Chickpea-Fodder Maize Sequence. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture. 2006;28(1):41-54. doi:10.1300/j064v28n01_05
  31. Jha A, Malla R, Sharma M, Panthi J, Lakhankar T, Krakauer N, et al. Impact of Irrigation Method on Water Use Efficiency and Productivity of Fodder Crops in Nepal. Climate. 2016;4(1):4. doi:10.3390/cli4010004
  32. Ghosh PK. Growth, yield, competition and economics of groundnut/cereal fodder intercropping systems in the semi-arid tropics of India. Field Crops Research. 2004;88(2-3):227-237. doi:10.1016/j.fcr.2004.01.015
  33. Centofanti T, Bañuelos G. Practical uses of halophytic plants as sources of food and fodder. Halophytes and climate change: adaptive mechanisms and potential uses. 2019:324-342. doi:10.1079/9781786394330.0324
  34. Kumar R, Bohra JS, Kumawat N, Singh AK. Fodder yield, nutrient uptake and quality of baby corn (Zea maysL.) as influenced by NPKS and Zn fertilization. Research on Crops. 2015;16(2):243. doi:10.5958/2348-7542.2015.00036.4
  35. Elmulthum NA, Zeineldin FI, Al-Khateeb SA, Al-Barrak KM, Mohammed TA, Sattar MN, et al. Water Use Efficiency and Economic Evaluation of the Hydroponic versus Conventional Cultivation Systems for Green Fodder Production in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability. 2023;15(1):822. doi:10.3390/su15010822
  36. Singh KM, Singh RKP, Jha AK, Kumar A. Fodder Market in Bihar: An Exploratory Study. Economic Affairs. 2013;58(4):357. doi:10.5958/j.0976-4666.58.4.019
  37. Parthasarathy Rao P, Hall AJ. Importance of crop residues in crop–livestock systems in India and farmers’ perceptions of fodder quality in coarse cereals. Field Crops Research. 2003;84(1-2):189-198. doi:10.1016/s0378-4290(03)00150-3
  38. Soder KJ, Heins BJ, Chester-Jones H, Hafla AN, Rubano MD. Evaluation of fodder production systems for organic dairy farms. The Professional Animal Scientist. 2018;34(1):75-83. doi:10.15232/pas.2017-01676
  39. Franzel S, Carsan S, Lukuyu B, Sinja J, Wambugu C. Fodder trees for improving livestock productivity and smallholder livelihoods in Africa. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. 2014;6:98-103. doi:10.1016/j.cosust.2013.11.008
  40. Lefroy EC, Dann PR, Wildin JH, Wesley-Smith RN, McGowan AA. Trees and shrubs as sources of fodder in Australia. Agroforestry Systems. 1992;20(1-2):117-139. doi:10.1007/bf00055307
  41. M. Spray, “Holly as a fodder in England.,” Agric. Hist. Rev., vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 97–110, 1981, [Online]. Available: https://www.jstor.org/stable/40274154
  42. Fodder Crops and Amenity Grasses. 2010. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-0760-8
  43. Bustan A, Pasternak D, Pirogova I, Durikov M, Devries TT, El‐Meccawi S, et al. Evaluation of saltgrass as a fodder crop for livestock. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2005;85(12):2077-2084. doi:10.1002/jsfa.2227
  44. M. N. Baviskar, S. G. Bharad, V. N. Dod, and V. G. Barne, “Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and quality of sapota,” 2011, forageresearch.in. [Online]. Available: https://forageresearch.in/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/59-61.pdf
  45. Singh BB, Ajeigbe HA, Tarawali SA, Fernandez-Rivera S, Abubakar M. Improving the production and utilization of cowpea as food and fodder. Field Crops Research. 2003;84(1-2):169-177. doi:10.1016/s0378-4290(03)00148-5
  46. Pastorelli G, Serra V, Vannuccini C, Attard E. Opuntia spp. as Alternative Fodder for Sustainable Livestock Production. Animals. 2022;12(13):1597. doi:10.3390/ani12131597
  47. OCADO Innovation Ltd, “Growing System and Method,” US Pat. App. 14/915,245, 2016, [Online]. Available: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20160212945A1/en
  48. Assouma MH, Lecomte P, Hiernaux P, Ickowicz A, Corniaux C, Decruyenaere V, et al. How to better account for livestock diversity and fodder seasonality in assessing the fodder intake of livestock grazing semi-arid sub-Saharan Africa rangelands. Livestock Science. 2018;216:16-23. doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2018.07.002
  49. Rahman SU, Ullah Z, Ali A, Ahmad M, Sher H, Shinwari ZK, et al. Ethnoecological knowledge of wild fodder plant resources of district Buner Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany. 2021;54(2). doi:10.30848/pjb2022-2(27)
  50. Woodford EK, Whyte RO. The Grassland and Fodder Resources of India. The Journal of Applied Ecology. 1966;3(1):221. doi:10.2307/2401684
  51. Öztürk M, Altay V, Güvensen A. Sustainable Use of Halophytic Taxa as Food and Fodder: An Important Genetic Resource in Southwest Asia. Ecophysiology, Abiotic Stress Responses and Utilization of Halophytes. 2019:235-257. doi:10.1007/978-981-13-3762-8_11
  52. NOUMAN W, BASRA SMA, SIDDIQUI MT, YASMEEN A, GULL T, ALCAYDE MAC. Potential of Moringa oleifera L. as livestock fodder crop: a review. TURKISH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY. 2014;38:1-14. doi:10.3906/tar-1211-66
  53. Ayub M, Muhammad Ather Nadee, Asif Tanveer, Azhar Husnain. Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen and Harvesting Times on the Growth, Yield and Quality of Sorghum Fodder. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences. 2002;1(4):304-307. doi:10.3923/ajps.2002.304.307
  54. Al-Karaki GN, Al-Hashimi M. Green Fodder Production and Water Use Efficiency of Some Forage Crops under Hydroponic Conditions. ISRN Agronomy. 2012;2012:1-5. doi:10.5402/2012/924672
  55. K. Panday, Fodder Trees and Tree Fodder in Nepal. cabidigitallibrary.org, 1982. doi:10.5555/19830685588.
  56. N. Biradar and V. Kumar, “Analysis of fodder status in Karnataka,” 2013, academia.edu. [Online]. Available: https://www.academia.edu/download/32345413/IJASc-Paper-fodder_status.pdf
  57. Sorghum in the 21st Century: Food – Fodder – Feed – Fuel for a Rapidly Changing World. 2020. doi:10.1007/978-981-15-8249-3
  58. P. K. Naik, Hydroponics technology for green fodder production., vol. 18, no. 3. cabidigitallibrary.org, 2012. doi:10.5555/20133131908.
  59. V. J. evich Frolov and D. P. Sysoev, “The evaluation of efficiency of using technologies for preparation and distribution of fodder at small farms,” 2016, cyberleninka.ru. [Online]. Available: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/the-evaluation-of-efficiency-of-using-technologies-for-preparation-and-distribution-of-fodder-at-small-farms
  60. KHUDYAKOVA EV, KHUDYAKOVA HK, SHITIKOVA AV, SAVOSKINA OA, KONSTANTINOVICH AV. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR DETERMINATION THE OPTIMAL PERIOD OF PREPARING FODDER FROM PERENNIAL GRASSES. Periódico Tchê Química. 2020;17(35):1044-1056. doi:10.52571/ptq.v17.n35.2020.86_khudyakova_pgs_1044_1056.pdf
  61. Roothaert RL, Paterson RT. Recent work on the production and utilization of tree fodder in East Africa. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 1997;69(1-3):39-51. doi:10.1016/s0377-8401(97)81621-5
  62. S. S. Mary and A. Gopalan, “Dissection of genetic attributes yield traits of fodder cowpea in F3 and F4,” 2006, academia.edu. [Online]. Available: https://www.academia.edu/download/108892379/805-808.pdf
  63. Skliar A, Boltyanskyi B, Boltyanska N, Demyanenko D. Research of the Cereal Materials Micronizer for Fodder Components Preparation in Animal Husbandry. Modern Development Paths of Agricultural Production. 2019:249-258. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-14918-5_26
  64. Kosolapov V, Rud’ V, Korshunov A, Savchenko I, Switala F, Hogland W. Scientific support of the fodder production: V.R. Williams All-Russian Fodder Research Institute (WFRI) activity. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 2019;390(1):012010. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/390/1/012010
  65. Rai SK, Ghosh PK, Kumar S, Singh JB. Research in Agrometeorolgy on Fodder Crops in Central India—An Overview. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences. 2014;04(01):78-91. doi:10.4236/acs.2014.41011
  66. D. Datta, Indian Fodder Management towards 2030: A Case of Vision or Myopia, vol. 2, no. 2. researchgate.net, 2013. [Online]. Available: http://hayandforage.com/marketing/archive/0201-hay-
  67. Omollo EO, Wasonga OV, Elhadi MY, Mnene WN. Determinants of pastoral and agro-pastoral households’ participation in fodder production in Makueni and Kajiado Counties, Kenya. Pastoralism. 2018;8(1). doi:10.1186/s13570-018-0113-9
  68. Jera R, Ajayi OC. Logistic modelling of smallholder livestock farmers' adoption of tree-based fodder technology in Zimbabwe. Agrekon. 2008;47(3):379-392. doi:10.1080/03031853.2008.9523806
  69. W. K. Gebremedhin, “Nutritional benefit and economic value of feeding hydroponically grown maize and barley fodder for Konkan Kanyal goats,” 2015, academia.edu. [Online]. Available: www.iosrjournals.org
  70. WELDEGERIMA, K. BALKRISHNA, and K. DESAISHALU, “Nutritional Improvement and Economic Value of Hydroponically Sprouted Maize Fodder,” 2015, researchgate.net. [Online]. Available: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Weldegerima-Kide/publication/299599166_Nutritional_improvement_and_economic_value_of_hydroponically_sprouted_maize_fodder/links/59e57f53aca272390ed651b5/Nutritional-improvement-and-economic-value-of-hydroponically-spro
  71. P. Singh and H. K. Sumeriya, “Effect of Nitrogen on Yield, Economics and Quality of Fodder Sorghum Genotypes,” 2012, gkvsociety.com. [Online]. Available: https://www.gkvsociety.com/control/uploads/effect-of-nitrogen-on-yeild-economics-n-quality-of-fodder.pdf
  72. Kanwal H, Raza A, Zaheer MS, Nadeem M, Ali HH, Manoharadas S, et al. Transformation of heavy metals from contaminated water to soil, fodder and animals. Scientific Reports. 2024;14(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-024-62038-7
  73. Kurcz A, Błażejak S, Kot AM, Bzducha-Wróbel A, Kieliszek M. Application of Industrial Wastes for the Production of Microbial Single-Cell Protein by Fodder Yeast Candida utilis. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 2016;9(1):57-64. doi:10.1007/s12649-016-9782-z
  74. Aquino D, Del Barrio A, Trach NX, Hai NT, Khang DN, Toan NT, et al. Rice Straw-Based Fodder for Ruminants. Sustainable Rice Straw Management. 2019:111-129. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-32373-8_7
Support