The area under fodder crops in India is 8.6 million ha. which is less than five per cent of the area under cultivation in the country. Green fodder supply in twenties is reported to be 406 million tonnes whereas the demand is 1134 million tonnes. This shows a deficiency by 65 per cent of the demand in India. Additionally, the major concern with regard to feeding livestock arises due to the lower yields of field fodder crops during hot summer. In this scenario, tree fodders act as an important contingent fodder source for livestock. Various tree fodders viz., subabul, gliricidia, bauhinia, calliandra, mulberry, etc., serves as potential feeding source for livestock in our country. Use of tree fodders has numerous advantages viz., easy to grow, available round-the-year, reduced feed costs, improvement in soil properties, cattle production per hectare etc.
Tree Based Fodder, Livestock, Contingent Feed Source, feeding livestock
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