Fodder
Security for Livestock- equally Important as Food Security
By- Rameshwar
Singh Pande
Livestock
products are major sources of the animal protein in human diet and are a
valuable asset, reserved/stored wealth, collateral for credit and an essential
safety net during times of crisis. The livestock sector contributes overall 13
per cent in national GDP.
The food
derived from animals has recently in increasing trend due improving economy and
test of the Nepalese consumers. To meet the growing demand of animal products,
supported by improved technology and mechanization, the commercialization of
the livestock production and processing is increasing especially around cities
and market hubs. However, most of the rural people still keep livestock in
traditional production systems, where they support livelihoods and household
food security.
The major
livestock reared in Nepal includes cattle, buffaloes, yak/chauri, goat, sheep,
pigs, rabbit, horses, poultry birds and others. The estimated population of
cattle is 6.4 million, buffaloes-3.1 million, yak/chauri-48 thousands,
goats-11.2 million and sheep- 0.6 million head in the country. Similarly, the
population of pig is 1.3 million, rabbit 0.03 million, equine 0.05 million,
poultry birds - 69 million in the country.
The major
products of livestock and poultry are milk, meat, eggs and other. The annual production
of milk is 18.5 million metric ton (buffalo milk- 65 per cent and rest cow
milk), meat 0.3 million metric ton (buff- 54 per cent, goat meat -20.7 per cent
and rest are pork and chicken meat). The total production of egg is 1,308
million numbers. Beside the consumable products, the livestock also give wool,
pashmina, hide and bone in significant quantity. For example the production of
raw wool is 588 metric ton in the country. The consumption of animal protein
especially meat, milk and eggs, compared to developed countries and the
standard set by the international organizations for minimum food requirements
is too low. For example, the average consumption of meat is 12.5 kg including
fish products. Similarly, the availability of milk is 72 liters/person/year and
average Nepali consume 44 eggs annually. Recently, Nepal is heading towards the
self-sufficiency in meat, milk and eggs production as the small and medium
scale livestock production enterprises has been flourishing.
To
achieve the enhanced production and productivity all animal needs quality food,
as food is required for energy growth and reproduction. Most of the ruminant
livestock (cattle, buffaloes, goat & sheep) and horses, rabbit are grass
eaters depends on forage, fodder including food grains and their by-products
like rice/wheat bran, mustard/soybean cakes and other feed ingredients. The
other animals with simple stomach like pigs, poultry, fish are omnivorous, eats
both plant and animal origin foods. For commercial production, the pigs,
poultry, fish and others require food grains and its by-products (e.g. maize
flour, wheat bran, oil cakes and others) including animal origin food
supplements (fish/meat meal, bone meal and others).
The major
fodder resources for livestock in the country are straws/plan residues, natural
grasses & edible weeds, tree foliage and pasturelands. Similarly, the major
sources of feed ingredients are grain by-products like rice bran, wheat bran,
maize flour, oil cakes, molasses and others.
The
present level of production and availability of these fodder and feed resources
is far below than the demand by the livestock in terms of quantity as well as
quality. So, the balance of feeds and fodder for livestock is in extreme
deficit situations.
The
conventional believe that livestock thrive and produce under grazing and
agricultural by-products resulted in under fed conditions of the animals and
significantly lower production and productivity of livestock products in terms
of milk and meat.
To meet
the growing demand of fodder and feeds by the high yielding dairy animals, and
fast-growing meat producing animals and hybrid poultry birds, area under
quality forage cultivation has been expanded, and a number of animal feed
industries has been established. However, compared to the demand of quality
fodder and feed by different animals the supply situation is too low. Such a
deficit situations has a negative impact on animal performances and
profitability of the livestock production business and also exerts negative
pressure on available of feeds and fodder resources and environmental
conservation.
It is
estimated that overall fodder and feed deficit is 30 per cent in quantity.
Among the various fodder supply, the share of straws is estimated over 60 per
cent. As the feed value of straw is almost zero and does not contribute in
nutritional supply, gives only satiety to the animal. For example, the
availability of green fodder is estimated to be 5.8 million metric ton where as
the potential demand is 13.8 million metric ton by the livestock. In this way,
based on quality of fodder and feed supply the nutritional security for the
livestock is worse.
Every
animal should have the easy access and availability of quality fodder/forage
and feed all times. Fodder security exists when all types of domestic animals
and birds, all have access to quality fodder, feeds and potable water to meet
the dietary needs to maintain potential production and productivity of the
individuals. But, like the food security for human beings, the fodder security
for livestock is overlooked
The
government organizations mainly ministry of Livestock Development as well as
private sectors are trying their best for the improvements of the fodder and
feed supply in the country. In this regard, the government have developed
various policies, acts and programs for overall livestock development in the
country. However, the development and implementation of rules, regulations,
acts exclusively for fodder security in Nepal is inadequate. The recent policy
on Animal Welfare issued on 2017 April 6, stated that to ensure the animal
welfare “animal should be free from hunger, thrust and malnutrition including
other fundamental rights. At International level, though the provision of
fodder security measures is not apparent. However, the provision for animal
rights and animal welfare have been endorsed and livestock enjoy the rights of
food and protection from any form of violence.
Forage
based livestock production practices are globally accepted well established,
sustainable and environmentally friendly animal welfare practices. So, for the
sound health, successful reproduction, and production of milk and meat depends
on proper nutrition. To maintain the high and sustained productivity in a cost-
effective manner the forage and fodder plays a central role. For the
sustainability and market competitive growth of livestock cost effective
forage-based livestock production practices should be promoted. Similar to Zero
hunger strategy/programs for human beings provisioned by the United nations
similar programs should also be in action to mitigate the deficit supply of
livestock fodder and forage.
As a
contribution of livestock in national economy, human food & nutritional
security, livelihoods and rural poverty mitigation is immense; the national
policy to ensure the access of fodder and feed to maintain the production and
productivity of the individual livestock should be ensured immediately.
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