Forage Legumes

Book Details

• Author: J.V. Singh, B.S. Chillar, B.D. Yadav, U.N. Joshi

• Publisher: Scientific Publishers

• Language: English

• Edition: 1st Edition

• Year of Publication: 2010

• ISBN: 9788172336387

• Pages: 391

• Cover: Hard Bound

• Dimensions: 7.5 x 9.75 inches

• Weight: 920 gm

About the Book
"Forage Crops for Livestock and Dairy Production" highlights the significance of forage crops in supporting livestock and dairy production, which are critical to the economy, particularly in agricultural countries like India. As per the National Commission on Agriculture, achieving India's White Revolution requires a greater focus on improving and managing forage crops. This book covers the vital role these crops play in providing nutritional support to livestock, which forms the backbone of dairy and meat production in the country.

India currently faces a significant deficit in forage availability: its average milk production per person is about 100 ml/day, far below the required 220 ml/day. The increased population, coupled with growing demands for animal products, poses a challenge to maintaining livestock productivity. This book identifies the underlying factors contributing to the forage deficit, including:

• Declining area under forage crops due to the expansion of cereal and cash crop cultivation.

• Increased animal population growing at a rate of 2% per year.

• Urbanization and industrial growth leading to reduced cultivable land.

• Competition for resources as lignocellulosic materials (used for biofuels) threaten forage supply.

The book explores how these challenges can be mitigated through improved research on forage crop improvement and the adoption of technological advancements in managing forage and feed production.

This text serves as an essential resource for agricultural researchers, dairy and poultry farmers, livestock nutritionists, and students who wish to understand the complex relationship between forage crops and livestock production, and how addressing the challenges of forage shortage is key to sustaining India's dairy industry in the future.