Fodder status in Bundelkhand region of India during drought year and the practice of free range grazing

Free range grazing of animals, is a practice followed since many years by farmers of Bundelkhand region of India which often leads to conflict in the community. Inadequacy of fodder is the main reason for this. Scientific analysis of fodder scenario in the region which comprises 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh of India using secondary data of crops, livestock and land use pattern was carried out so that districts with severe shortage of fodder get priority in livestock development projects. Besides, primary data was collected from 43 farmers to know the reasons for practicing it. Results indicated that 3 distrcits-Tikamgarh, Jhansi and Jalaun districts belonged to deficient and 4 districts-Mahoba, Hamirpur, Banda and Chitrakoot were in severely deficient dry matter categories. Region faces dry matter shortage of nearly 42 percent. In all the districts, contribution of crop residue to total dry matter was more. However contributions of greens and concentrate did not vary much and remained almost same across districts. Analysis of primary data revealed that 67.44% of farmers in the region follow the practice of free range grazing. Majority (62.79%) expressed that shortage of fodder and water for livestock in summer as the main reason to follow this practice. Establishing cattle shelters during summer in villages was suggested by 67.44 per cent of farmers to restrain from following this practice. Convergence of efforts from various government, non-government, research organizations and farmers is required to promote agri-horti-silvipastoral system coupled with soil and water conservation measures in the region. This will increase fodder availability in the region on sustainable basis.