Forage Development in Nepal

Forage Development in Nepal
> By: Rameshwar Singh Pande, 20





1.0 GenesisFeeds and forage development especially under farmers field conditions is a new intervention in Nepal. Traditionally, grazing based feeding system supplemented with crop residues is practiced by majority of the farmers, supplementations of high cultivated forage or concentrated feeding is exceptional especially to local cattle. However, wide ranges of tree leaves are fed to animals since long ago. System development of feeds and forage cultivation practices, believed to be started during Rana period through introduction of Jursey cow and temperate pasture species like white clover (Trifolium repens) (Pande, 1997) in Nepal. Since, then the activities of feeds and forage development were given least priority by the government until 1980's.



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Though the Agriculture development Board was established in 1937 (1994 BS), however, significant achievement on feeds and forage improvements at farmers level started only after the interventions of two projects namely ADB funded Livestock Development Project (LDP) and UNDP funded Northern Belt Pasture Development Program (NBPDP). Before 1980's, forage cultivation was confined within the government Farms only. A total of 36 ha of croplands were under fodder cultivation in 1980. Since, the popularity of dairy farming in Southern belt and Middle hills, practices of forage cultivation is also increasing. Presently, over 2,000 ha of different types of fodder crops are grown. Similarly, only 177 ha of land were under improved pastures in 1980. To date, over 8,500 ha of native rangelands have been improved by various means and over 89 animal feed mills are established who prepare and supply all kind of livestock and poultry feeds. Recently, the pace of rangeland improvement activities is in decreasing trend, mainly due to the termination of the NBPDP.
The area under fodder cultivation is less than 0.05 percent of the total agricultural land. Similarly, only 0.5 percent of the total rangelands have been improved so far. When compared with the other countries the land devoted for fodder cultivation is negligible. The developed countries have allocated a significant amount of land for forage and pasture production. Even in the neighbouring country like India where over 5 percent of the cultivated land is under fodder crop and 36 percent under permanent pastures. Similarly, in China over 10 percent of the croplands are under forage crops and over 26 percent of the total land is categorised as rangelands. In New Zealand where the livestock (sheep, cattle and deer) are the major economical activity almost all-agricultural land is devoted for pasture production.



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1.2 Major Institutions (GO/NGO/INGO & Private sector) Involved on Feeds and Forage Development
The sole institute involved in fodder and pasture development is HMG/N, Department of Livestock Services. Despite DLS, other organizations are: -
• Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC),
• Department of Forestry (DOF),
• Department of Soil Water Conservation (DSWC),
• Tribhuvan University
• Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS), b) Institute of Forestry
• National Forage and Grassland Research Centre (NFGRC),
• Palpa Pasture Development Association,
• And, others.
Various international organizations have supported HMG/N to overall development of livestock, forage and rangelands. Majors are:
• FAO, Study on Livestock and Dairy Development (1952);
• FAO, New Zealand Government to establish cheese factory (1953),
• Swiss Government to establish Jiri Multipurpose Centre (1957),
• New Zealand Government to establish Dairy plant (1959),
• FAO, Trishuli Watershed Project (1968),
• British Government: Pakhribas/Lumle Agricultural Centre (1968)
• FAO, Sheep, goats and wool Development Project (1974),
• FAO, High Altitude Pasture Development Project (1980),
• USAID, Resource Conservation and Utilization Project, 1980,
• Swiss Government Tinau Watershed Project (1981-90),
• USAID, Agriculture Research and Production Project (1981-90),
• World Bank, Rasuwa Nuwakot Rural Development Project (1986-90),
• USAID, Rapti Development Project (1987-95),
• HELVETAS/GTZ, Palpa District Development Project (1989-94),
• Multinational donors, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development,
• IFAD/UNDP/the Netherlands Government supported Hills Leasehold Forestry and Forage Development Project (1993- continued)
• EC, Gulmi Arghakhanchi Rural Development Project Phase I & II (1996- 2003)

Presently 14 Farms/Research Centres has been involved directly or indirectly on forage and pasture development activities. Out of the total 9 farms are under DLS and 5 under NARC. 5 (3 Farms and 2 Centre) are located in Northern Mountain belt similarly 5 (4 Farms and 1 Centre) is located at Southern Terai and 4 (2 Farm and 2 Centre) located at Middle Hills (Table 4.1). Out of the total Farms three DLS Farms and two Research Centre is exclusively involved in forage and pasture development activities. The Farms of Janakpur, Ranjitpur and Gaughat is involved on tropical/sub-tropical forage development. Similarly the Research Centre of Khumaltar and Rasuwa is involved in high altitude pasture development activities. These Farms are producing a small amount of forage and pasture seed for its own use and the surplus seeds are sold to the farmers.

Forage and Pasture Production Programs under DLS/NARC:
• Northern /Himalay region: Livestock Dev. Jiri (DLS), Sheep Dev Farm, Nuwakot (DLS) Yak Dev Farm Solukhumbu (DLS), Pasture Research Centre, Rasuwa (NARC), Sheep/goat Research Centre, Jumla (NARC)
• Southern /Terai region: Pasture Dev Farm, Janakpur (DLS), Pasture Dev Farm, Ranjitpur, Sarlahi (DLS), Livestock Dev Farm, Banke (DLS), Goat Dev Farm Dhanghadhi (DLS), Tarahara Research Centre, Sunsari (NARC)
• Middle Hills region: Livestock Dev Farm, Pokhara (DLS), Sheep/Goat Dev Farm, Chitlang, (DLS), Fodder & pasture Research Centre, Khumaltar.(NARC), Goat Research Centre, Bandipur (NARC)

1.3 Status of Forage and Pasture Seed Production:Seeds and planting materials are basic requisites to carry out forage development activities. Shortage of forage seed limiting its developmental activities. Since the efforts of government and non-government organizations significant achievements have obtained in forage seed production sector.

During FY 1994/ 95 total forage seed production was 54 mt in which 54 percent is produced within the Government Farms and only rest by the private sectors. There are 21 species of forage crops used for seed production. At farmers level only 6 species are grown for seed production viz. oat, vetch, berseem, teosente, stylo, molasses and beans. Oat and berseem are the most popular species at farmers level. Contribution of oat and berseem in total production is about 68 and 13 percent respectively. Despite the above species a wide range of perennial forage species, which are propagated by vegetative means such as Napier, Para, broom and setaria, are grown in Farms as well as farmers field.

Present level of seed production is meeting only 62 percent of the domestic demand. Many experts such as Basnyat (1988); Pariyar (1990); Morrison, (1991); Stevens (1991) and Miller (1993) suggested that forage seed production program is the single agricultural input which could help to solve the acute shortage of livestock feed as well to control environmental degradation through improved forage cultivation practices. So, an organised effort is needed on forage seed production for the expansion of forage improvement.

1.3.1 Scope and opportunities for Forage Seed ProductionThere is great potentiality to grow different species of forage seeds in Nepal. The most potential areas from the seed production point of view are:

• Berseem has been found suitable in southern belt of Dhanusha, Mahotari, Sarlahi, Banke and Dang where there are irrigation facilities. It is estimated that about 0.2 m ha of paddy land could be used for berseem seed production in these districts, which could produce minimum 40,000 mt of seed (Pande, 1995).
• Seed production of stylo has been found successful in lower belt of Palpa, Dang and Makawanpur up to altitude of 1500 m.
• Seed production of oat, vetch and teosente are found success in Southern Terai and Middle hills of Nepal.
• Among the temperate pasture species such as white clover, ryegrass, cocksfoot, paspalum are found successful at Rasuwa, Mustang, Jiri and Dolpa.
• Potential native species for seed production are: Elymus nutans, Pennisetum flaccidum and Medicago falcata in the temperate zone of mountains especially in Mustang, Manang, Dolpa, Jiri, Dolkha and Jumla.

1.3.2 Major species for Intensive useOut of introduced species in Nepal all potential species suitable for different agro-ecological zone may not be applicable to develop and recommend for the production of forage at farmers level. The most potential and farmer's preferred species should be developed as a pet species at the present level of available resources. The potential pet species are as follows:


The Pet Species for Forage Development at farmers level:
• Berseem: As winter-feed on the cultivated lands throughout whole Southern and Middle belts.
• Vetch: As winter feed on the cultivated lands throughout Southern and Middle hills
• Stylo: For silvi-pasture development on barren/steep lands throughout Southern and Middle hills up to 1500 m.
• White clover: For range seeding on mid hills and Mountains from 1500- 4000 m
• Oat: As winter-feed on cultivated lands throughout Nepal
• Teosinte: As summer feed on cultivated lands throughout Southern and Middle hills.
• Napier: As summer feed on bunds, terrace and roadside throughout southern and middle hills up to 1500 m.
• Molasses: For silvi-pasture use to grow on barren/steep lands through out hills from 500-1500 m.
• Perennial Ryegrass: For range seeding on Mid hills and Mountains from 1500 - 4000 m
• Cocksfoot: For range seeding on mid hills and mountains from 1500- 4000 m

1.5 Status of concentrated feed production To promote concentrated feed production for livestock and poultry birds HMG/N has established the Animal Feed Production and Distribution Board (AFPDBP) in FY 1970/71. The Board was previously known as Cattle Feed and Carcass Utilization Plant. The Plant was established at Hetaunda in order to produce balance ration for animals and poultry birds. In FY 1984/85 the CFCU was reformed and named Animal Feed Production and Distribution Board. The plant is producing 60,000 Mt of feed annually for livestock, pigs, poultry, fish and elephant. Since the poultry farming enterprises is flourishing at private level various feed industries has been established in the country.

1.6 Major Limitations and recommendations
• Lack of proper priority: Forage development program is in low priority sector compared with the other activities of livestock development. For example, animal health cares vs livestock feeds.
Priority should be given to improve the feeds supply on year round basis to increase the livestock production and productivity compared to other activities related to livestock development. It will not only solve the feed deficit situation of the existing population but will also control the depletion of the environment due to overgrazing and misuse.

• Competition between food and forage crops: Most of the farms are small in size and are growing food crops for the domestic consumption. Interruption or any change on the traditional crop farming system affects on the food supply pattern. As most of the winter/summer forage crops compete with food crops farmers does not like to grow fodder especially in the cropland. For example, berseem/oat VS. Wheat crop.

Use of uncultivated fallow croplands: Extensive programs should be launched to grow forage crops on buds, terrace risers, fallow crop field and nook and corners of the crop field. Priority should be given to improve the degraded grazing lands, community lands and the roadside, banks of canal for intensive fodder cultivation
• Subsistence farming system: Most of the farms are subsistence type. Farmers are growing varieties of crops relatively in a small amount on a small piece of land to support the requirements of the families. Specialisation or commercial production of crops especially the forage seeds are lacking. Farmers involved in forage production grow some seed for their future use; only surplus seeds are sold to the markets. It was observed that majority of the farmers grow forage crops only in about 500 - 2000 Sq. m area which is quite insufficient to meet the requirements of livestock reared under stall fed conditions.

• High cost involvement: The cultivation practices of most of the fodder crop and the pasturelands improvements practices require high cost. Which are beyond the investment capacity of individual farmers. For example, higher price of seed/planting materials (Annex 4.2).

• Input supply, seeds/seedlings: Generally there is a shortage of inputs especially seeds seedlings of the fodder and pasture crops. Furthermore, due to the lack of proper mechanism for distribution the seeds are not readily available to the farmers.

Input supply: Input supply should be improved by establishing resource centres for seeds seedlings and planting materials on the potential sites. This will not only improve the supply of input needed but also provide income generation opportunities to the rural people. Provision should be made for the easy and timely availability of necessary inputs and ingredient for livestock feed industries.
• Appropriate technology and its dissemination: There is a lack of proper technology for fodder cultivation and pasturelands improvements. In the past wide range of exotic species has been used without prior trials especially onto the existing high altitude pastures which fail to establishment in many cases No proper technology has been developed for steppe region.

Strengthening of the government Farms: The involved Farms should be strengthened and a seed production Farm at high altitude regions should be established for temperate seed production. Immediate attention is needed to replace the old cultivars of the Government Farms and the seeds of the registered seed growers with a high quality breeds seeds to maintain the varietal purity as well as to maintain the productivity of the seeds.

• Training and Skill: Forage and pasture improvement is a specialised job. It needs trained manpower for its production/management. There is a shortage of trained manpower either at government or at private level. The government staff needs to be trained for the production of quality founder seed, breeding, processing and other aspects whereas the farmers need to be trained to the production of growers seed and its quality control, harvesting, processing and proper storage.

Training and skill: Massive training and awareness program should be launched to promote fodder cultivation and pasturelands improvements. Publications of booklets, leaflets, charts, posters, and video film could be an effective media to create awareness among the rural farmers.

• Market and marketing: Due to poor markets and marketing facilities of livestock products farmers are reluctant to invest on improved livestock production system. Similarly, there is lack of proper markets for the forage seeds and planting materials. Furthermore, due to inadequate storage facilities most of the seeds are westage if not sold in time.

Market/marketing: Markets and marketing facilities for livestock products, planting materials and livestock feeds should be developed to encourage the improved livestock and forage seed production.

Export possibilities: Possibilities for the exportation of forage seed especially to the SAARC countries should be explored and a specialized quality seed growers Farmers Association should be formed for this purpose.

• Quality of seeds and seedlings: Another major problem to forage and pasture development is the poor quality of seeds and planting materials. Most of the seed produced both at Government Farm and farmers level are of poor quality. Quality Control: Standard norms, guidelines should be developed to control the quality of seeds, seedlings and planting materials.
• Poor Coordination: There is a lack of coordination among the government organisations especially in the case of research and extension (between DLS and NARC/IAAS), for the sustainable use of natural resources such as pasturelands, forests (between DLS and DOF/DSWC). Co-ordination: A close co-ordination and decision should be taken at policy level especially among the government organisations especially in the case of research and extension (between DLS and NARC/IAAS) for the sustainable use of natural resources such as pasturelands, forests (between DLS and DOF/DSWC).
• Open trade: A large quantities of forage seeds and planting materials are imported from India and abroad by the private sector. It is estimated that about 800-1,000 kg of berseem and 3,000 - 5,000 kg of oat seeds are brought from India by the local vendors and sold in the local weekly markets. The prices of such seed are much cheaper than locally grown seeds. These imported seeds are found low in quality and of unspecified cultivars.
• Income and employment generation source: Forage production and marketing activities should be promoted as a potential source of income and employment generation especially for the rural farmers.
• Involvement of private sector: Private sectors should be encouraged and environment should be created for their contribution especially in the field of forage seed production, feed formulation, markets and marketing development related to fodder, pasture and livestock feeds.
• People’s participation: The forage development program should be carried out through strong peoples participation. So, they should realize that the program is their need and they will get benefited after its success.