Fodder Production through Agroforestry - A Boon for Profitable Dairy Farming
Abstract
Agroforestry is playing the greatest role in maintaining the resource base and increasing overall productivity in the rainfed areas in general and the arid and semi-arid regions in particular. Agroforestry land use increases livelihood security and reduces vulnerability to climate and environmental change. There are ample evidences to show that the overall (biomass) productivity, soil fertility improvement, soil conservation, nutrient cycling, microclimate improvement, and carbon sequestration potential of an agroforestry system is generally greater than that of an annual system. Agroforestry has an important role in reducing vulnerability, increasing resilience of farming systems and buffering households against climate related risks. It also provides for ecosystem services - water, soil health and biodiversity. Therefore, agroforestry will be required to contribute substantially to meet the demands of rising population for food, fruits, fuel wood, timber, fodder, bio-fuel and bio-energy as well as for its perceived ecological servicesReferences
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