Fodder Security for Livestock- equally Important as Food Security

 

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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