National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132001 (Haryana), India
Present Address: 1Scientist, Zonal Project Directorate, Zone-VII, JNKVV Campus, Jabalpur-482004 (M.P.), India
2Principal Scientist, DES&M Division, NDRI Karnal-132001, Haryana
3Principal Scientist, DCN Division, NDRI Karnal-132001, Haryana
*Corresponding author email: prem3281@gmail.com, prem_mahala@yahoo.com
Online published on 17 September, 2013.
The average annual availability of feed and fodder in Rajasthan during 2006–07 and 2008–09 was 51.5 million tons on DM basis, about 25% less than its demand. The livestock stocking rate far exceeded the carrying capacity of pasture and grazing lands and also the roughage: concentrate ratio was very poor (1:0.06). The shortages prevailed in all the agro-climatic regions of the state except the irrigated north western plains and the arid western plain, where forage crops were important source of livestock fodder. The concentrate availability was better in southern parts of the state, but due to high livestock density, the demand was more than 1.5 times of availability.
Feed balance, Carrying capacity, Roughage, Concentrates
