An impact assessment of fodder promotion programs on dairy farming in Mahadevsthan village, Kavre district, Nepal | |
| Author | Shrestha, Damayanti |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no. AS-01-10 |
| Subject(s) | Fodder trees--Nepal Home economics--Nepal Dairy farming--Nepal |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AS-01-10 |
| Abstract | Integration of fodder trees in crop livestock farming system is crucial for increasing nutrient supplies and improving the utilization of poor quality feeds during dry winter season. A comparative study was conducted to assess the progress made by nongovernmental and governmental organizations (NGO and GO) promoted fodder programs in the dairy enterprises in Mahadevsthan Village Development Committee of Kavre District. The analysis is based on the key informant and household survey responses from the NGO and GO project officials and farmers with particular reference to the on farm tree fodder/forage plantation and management practices, nutrients availability and requirements. The findings show that integration of fodder trees within crop livestock farming system is widely prevalent among the NGO supported farmer groups. The dairy herd size depended on landholdings and number of the fodder trees on the farmland. Marked seasonal variations in amount and composition of diet were noted. The analysis of households fodder situation show that 90 percent of household fodder requirements were supplied by farm sources while only 10 percent came from the off farm sources. The prop01iion of cut grass was highest in rainy season while proportion of tree fodder and crop residues were highest in dry winter season. Likewise contribution of fodder trees were recorded highest (16%) in NGO supported groups. Significant differences (p 0.01) were also found in seasonal milk production as well as in the lactation yield and calving interval of improved buffaloes and cows between two groups. The milk yields positively correlated with the livestock units and number of the fodder trees. Although the different agencies have promoted fodder based dairy production system, still there is nutrient deficit of 42 and 65 percent in NGO and GO groups respectively. Highest nutrient deficit in relation to the farm size was reported in small sized farms in both groups. This clearly indicates an inadequate amount of nutrients available to the existing dairy animals for their productive performance. Despite of such circumstances, findings have further indicated that dairy enterprise could be more profitable than crop enterprise. Analysis revealed that there is a need and potential for improvement of the existing system through the intensive technological intervention in feed/fodder resources improvement along with the better extension services and regular marketing facilities, supported with an effective regular monitoring and evaluation of the ongoing activities. |
| Year | 2001 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AS-01-10 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural and Aquatic Systems (AS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Yakupitiyage, Amararatne ;Zoebisch, Michael A. ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | DAAD, Federal Republic of Germany ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001 |