Introduction
As a national research institution, Nepal Agricultural
Research Council (NARC) has initiated disciplinary approach
to manage the research programs at national level and
coordinate and monitor various research programs implemented
by various government and non -government agencies involved
in agricultural research in the country. The Pasture
and Fodder Division (PFD) is one of the five disciplinary
divisions of the National Animal Science Research Institute
(NASRI).This division was established in 1971-1972.
Since its creation, the division is involved in preparing
national priority programs, implementing them in different
agro ecological regions through NARC's Regional Agricultural
Research Stations, Agricultural Research Stations, Outreach
Research Division and through farmers' participation.
Livestock and NTFP's plays an important role in the
Nepalese farming systems and it is emerging as a viable
enterprise in the country. Livestock particularly, the
dairy buffalo, improved cow and goat farming are becoming
popular among the small and marginal farmers in the
rural areas. Despite the major role of livestock in
the overall economic upliftment of the majority of the
farmers, as envisaged by APP, livestock research and
development sector has not received proper attention
as far as resource allocation from the government to
enhance the research capabilities of the individuals
involved in livestock research and development in the
past. On the contrary this sector is contributing nearly
one third of the total agricultural gross domestic production
(AGDP) and about 15 percent to the National Gross Domestic
Production (NGDP).
Livestock population per household and density of
ruminant animals is highest in Nepal and the productivity
is the lowest. The major reason for such low productivity
from the animals is considered mainly due to fodder
unavailability in required amount and low genetic potential
of the native breed followed by poor breeding practice.
It has been estimated that the annual animal feed deficit
at the national level is as high as 36 percent. The
feed situation is further worsened due to erratic distribution
of rainfall, seasonality in green fodder availability,
lack of appropriate technologies available for production
and conservation of quality feeds and fodder in the
country. In the greatly accelerated livestock growth
regime of the APP, fodder of essential quality has become
an increasingly important constraint to growth. The
high growth rates of APP will require greater use of
high quality forage/fodder and purchased concentrates,
along with improved grasslands, including those adjacent
to forestlands. With this change, research on pasture,
fodder and agro-forestry and on animal improvement has
become all the more important.
Major mandates
The overall mandate of this division is to generate
forage, pasture and agro-forestry management technologies
to enhance livestock production and productivity.
• Assess periodically the problems and potentials
of pasture/fodder and agroforestry production in different
agro ecological zones and prioritize the research agenda
in collaboration with RARS's, ARS's, and Extension Agencies.
• Take leadership in the development and conduction
of research in forage, silvi-pasture, horti-pasture,
agro-forestry and livestock interface and collaborate
with RARS's, ARS's, Commodity Research Programs and
other Disciplinary Divisions.
• Provide technical leadership and support to
RARS's, ARS's and Commodity Research Programs in pasture/fodder
and agroforestry research.
• Obtain specialized technical support from the
concerned Disciplinary Divisions of NARC.
• Develop pasture and forage seed, saplings production
technologies and produce foundation seed and saplings.
• Provide technological package and training,
support to extension agency and private pasture and
forage seed producers.
• Train scientists, technical officers and technicians
in pasture/fodder and agroforestry research.
• Establish strong linkages with National, Regional,
International Pasture/Fodder and Agroforestry Research
Institutes and Universities for exchange of expertise
and materials.
• Publish research findings and extension recommendation
on appropriate pasture/fodder and agroforestry production
technologies and collaborate with extension agency for
wider uptake, scaling up and dissemination.
• Act as a national repository for the information
on pasture/fodder and agroforestry production technologies.
Objectives
Objectives
The overall objectives of the Division is to contribute
increase the productivity of animals through the development
of site specific, appropriate pasture, fodder and agro-forestry
production, utilization and conservation technologies.
The specific objectives of the Division are:
• To identify the major pasture/forage and agro-forestry
related problems in different agro ecological regions.
• To identify potential native pasture and forage
species prevalent in different agro ecological regions.
• To develop national pasture, forage and agro-forestry
research programs, prioritize, implement, coordinate,
monitor and evaluate the national pasture/forage and
agroforestry programs.
• To test exotic suitable pasture/forage species
and agroforestry models in different regions.
• To review the national pasture/forage and agroforestry
research programs and activities regularly.
• To evaluate the current status of various pasture/forage
and agroforestry research programs and activities.
• To present the results, achievements in pasture/forage
and agroforestry research being carried out.
• To collect and recommend appropriate pasture/forage
and agroforestry technologies for different agro ecological
regions.
• To coordinate with other line agencies/individuals
to develop national pasture/forage and agroforestry
research system and
• To provide necessary services to various client
on pasture/forage and agroforestry system.
Major Achievements
- Kamdhenu and Netra variety of Oat have been released
which are suitable for low and mid hill region of
Nepal.
- For winter fodder production cvs Kent, Swan, Omihi
are found most promising for high hills. For mid hill
region, Caravile, Kent, Swan, Charisma, 83 INC 19
G3, Taiko, 346/2,323 O2 are most suitable cvs of oat.
Similarly in Terai, Swan, Amuri, Awapuni, Charisma,
Taiko are found suitable variety of oat.
- It is recommended that for higher quality and quantity
fodder production oat must be sown with winter legumes
such as vetch and pea in all agro ecological zones.
This combination provides 80 % more yield than control.
- Proper inoculation and fertilizer application is
important for higher fodder legume production. Small
pea, Bold pea and Vetch provides 36 % more yield if
properly inoculated and under fertilizer application.
- For summer fodder production, Teosente, Bajra,
Maize, Sorghum with Soyabean, Cowpea, Red bean and
Horse gram produced higher fodder.(summer dry period).
- The promising dual purpose maize cultivars recommended
for green stalk and more seed yield are NKP x 95-81,
NKP x 95-10, Bahar and EV II .
- It is recommended that Amrisho cultivation on 100
running meter area could give an average income of
Rs. 2000 per annum and this provides an opportunity
to alleviate fodder shortage and poverty reduction.
- Dual purpose Amaranthus, Amrisho and Napier were
recommended to be planted on the terrace riser of
Bariland.
- In the mid hills the forage combination recommended
for terrace riser improvements are Napier (44.4 ton/ha),
Napier+Desmodium(40.4 ton/ha) and Napier+Setaria+Desmodium
(57.4 ton/ha)
- The fodder production of forage legume is found
significantly affected by proper inoculation and fertilizer
application.
- For grain and fodder purpose amaranthus, the cultivars
Hypochondrus 825-1023, Hypochondrus 825-1024, Hybrid
825-1004 and GA 5025 and Crentus R 104 are found most
suitable for mid hill and high hill regions.
- Different native grass/legume species are identified
for their productiveness at different agro ecological
zones.
- Molasses grass and Stylo legume were recommended
to grow in leasehold sites and their proper time of
sowing (first week of May to second week of June)
was recommended.
- The technology generated upto 1700 masl altitude
under proper pit size and management (50cmx50cmx50cm
+ Top soil) and starter fertilizer (250 gm DAP + 150gm
sulpher per pit). The results of three years have
shown that Bauhinia purpurea, Leucaena leucocephala
species have attained growth over 2-3 meter in three
years and over 68 % survability.
- For silvipastural system different fodder tree
and grass/ legume species were identified at different
location.
- Dhudilo, Faledo, Chuletro and Bains are found better
for nursery raising. The survivability percentage
of seedlings of Dhudilo was more(85%) in wall raising
than direct seedling in polythene bags(75%).
- Khasru is found highest fodder producer 117 kg/tree/year
and low producer are found Painyu and Kimbu 35-50
kg/tree/year.
- For utilizing of Terrace riser, Napier, Setaria,
Desmodium species are good for grass production as
well as Pigeon pea, Sunhamp, Ipil Ipil, Napier, Vetivar,
hedge desmodium are good for hedge row establishment
on sloppy land.
- In agroforestry system Multipurpose Tree species
such as Tanki, Ipil Ipil, Koiralo, Kimbu, Badahar
are good and commonly used by the farmers.
- Murpa, Sinmurpa, Angeri, Dhade, Lek gurans, Pra,
Oryzopsis spp, Piptanthus, Poisonous plants are identified
around in different pasture land of Rasuwa and Mustang.
- For high hill region 9 cvs of Rye grass are recommended
for green matter and seed productive yields.
- The combination of white clover, rye grass and
cocks foot is good for highest green matter production.
- For degraded forest land improvements minimum tillage
practices with inoculation and starter fertilizer
and lime / pallating is recommended which has given
30 times more yield.
Winter Fodders
Promising oat cultivars recommended are for high hills
Kent and Swan, for mid hills and terai 346/2 and 32302,
Caraville, Canadian, Awapuni, Taiko, Amouri and 83 INC
19 G3.
It is recommended that for higher quality and quantity
fodder production oat must be sown with winter legumes
such as vetch and pea in all agro-ecozones. This combination
provides 80% more yield than control.
Use of Inoculum
Proper inoculation and fertilizer application is important
for higher fodder legume production. Small pea, Bold
pea and Vetch provides 36% more yield if properly inoculated
and under fertilizer application.
Summer Fodder
In the midd hills and Terai the forage combination recommended
are Teosinte + Redbean (28 ton/ha), Maize + Soyabean
(22 ton/ha), Sorghum + Soyabean (21 ton/ha) and Bajra
+ Cowpea (19 ton/ha).
The promising dual purpose maize cultivars recommended
for green stalk and more seed yield are NKP x 95-81,
NPK x 95-10, Bahar and EV II.
Amriso
It is recommended that Amriso cultivation on 100 running
meter area could give an average income of Rs. 2000
per annum and this provides opportunity to alleviate
fodder shortage and poverty reduction.
Terrace Riser Improvement
In the mid hills the forage combination recommended
for terrace riser improvements are Napier + Desmodium
(40.4 Ton/ha) Napier + Setaria + Desmodium (57.4 ton/ha).
Hedgerow spps
In the mid hills The Sunhemp, Napier, Pigeon pea are
found suitable as hedgerow spps.
Temperate Species
In the high hills recommended cultivar of Rye Grass
and Ellett (28 ton/ha), Belfort (27.5 ton/ha), Sommora
(27.2 ton/ha) and combination of pasture species recommended
are White Clover + Rye Grass (17.01 ton/ha), White Clover
+ Cocks foot (20.64 ton/ha), White Clover + Rye Grass
+ Cooks foot (28.70 ton/ha).
Degraded lands Has Potential To Higher Forage
Production
Upto 1700 masl, open degraded grasslands and shurb lands
can be improved through technology generated under minimum
tillage and line sowing, use of starter fertilizer.
(34:15:0 kg/ha), inoculation and lime pelleting.
Using this cost effective technology (cost NRs. 10000/ha
Vs previously calculated NRs. 33000/ha) has given an
average production of 34 mt GM/ha Vs Original vegetation
production of 1 mt/ha and an additional net profit of
fodder value of about NRs.9800 . In addition to that
soil fertility is increased due to inclusion of lugume
species and reduction in soil erosion has been obtained
by over 70 % plant coverage on barren land.
Over 1700 masl (in the high altitude belt) areas and
for the moist sites, under minimum tillage, lime coating,
inoculation, proper sowing depth and use of starter
fertilizer 34:75:0 + Sulphur 30 kg/ha, White clover
(Trifolium repens cv Khumaltar) has potential to produce
5 ton GM per ha under occasional grazing.
Fodder Tree Production
The technology generated upto 1700 masl altitude under
proper pit size and management (50 cmx50 cmx50 cm +Top
soil ) and starter fertilizer (250 gm DAP + 150 gm sulphur
per pit )
The results for three years have shown that Bauhinia
purpurea, Leucaena leucocephala species have attained
growth over 2-3 meter in three years and over 68 % survavility.
Winter Fodder Production For More Farm Income
Generation
The technology generated through proper combination
of grass and legume seed (60:40), proper species combinations
(oat + vetch), manure and fertilizer placement behind
the plough (FYM 10 ton + 40:100:0, :NPK kg/ha).
This technology brings about a total profit of about
Rs.2538 per month, deduction of the cultivation cost
and managerial expenses @ 1000 per month, a net profit
of about 1538 per month could be obtained by a milking
buffalo and utilizing an arable land of 600 m2.
Oat + Vetch combination gives more seed i.e. 1.8 ton/ha
compared to oat; 1.8 ton/ha. However, oat + pea has
produced 1.7 ton seed/ha. This technology brings about
a total profit of about Rs. 15000 per year utilizing
an arable land of 600 m2.
Pasture Legume Seed Production For More Farm
Income Generation
Degraded land could well be a source of seed for its
sustainable development as well as a source of income.
For this purpose, in the low altitude belts (400-1200
masl) of three districts a simple and affordable technology
is generated as; suitable species Stylosenthes guianensis
cv Cook at the rate of 5 kg/ha, lime pelleting (10 kg/ha)
inoculation (250 gm rhizobium /5 kg), line sowing under
minimum tillage practice (30 cm turf cultivation and
70 cms gap i.e. one line per metre), application of
DAP @ of 80 kg/ha and borax 8 kg per ha.
Results is promising and an average of 30 kg seed/ha/yr
can be obtained. A net profit of NRs 4415 can be obtained
in the first year while NRs 10000 per hectare could
be obtained from second harvest year. At present, this
technology has been very useful to the farmers and is
a important source of income generation.
Future Researchable Areas
- Survey of livestock feeding system of the clients.
- Testing of different forage species and their conservation
practices to over come fodder problem in scarcity
periods.
- Livestock – fodder interface study to reduce
milk and meat production cost.
- Develop the forage cultivation technologies where
double rice production is being taken. (Berseem/Shaftal/Oat
+Vetch)
- Identify the potentiality of native forage species
at different eco zones.
- Four Napier species should be tested at all eco
zones.
- Forage germplasms maintenance, herbarium / cold
storage / quality seed testing.
- Special attention should be given towards creation
and recruitment of scientists and technicians in forage
breeding, forage botany, forage pathology, forage
entomology, forage seed production and forage agronomy.
- Participatory research should be initiated with
close collaboration of clients.
- Stressed should be given on toxic plants identification
and their toxicity analysis.
- Productivity, carrying capacity, stocking rate
and plant composition of natural grazing land of each
ecozone.
Programs
- Genetic Improvement/Breed Development
- Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology
- Genetic Resource Conservation and Utilization
Genetic Improvement/Breed Development
Under this category, the evaluation of native breeds
and their improvement programme, and investigation of
suitable breeds for existing agro-climatic conditions
and management systems are being implemented. Studies
on the identification of suitable breeds and then their
development works are also carried out. List of the
on-going projects of the Division under the programme
is as follows;
- Participatory Breeding Approach for Production
of Quality Murrah Buffalo Bulls in Nepal
- Participatory Breeding Approach for Improved Productivity
of Khari Goat in Western and Central Development Region
of Nepal
- Establishment of Elite Herds of Dairy Cattle and
Buffaloes
Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology
Under this programme, studies on reproduction physiology
and some of the biotechnology tools such as Heat synchronization
and AI will be undertaken for improving the livestock
productivity. List of the on-going projects of the Division
under the programme is as follows;
- Study on Production, Freezing and Insemination of
Semen of Crossbred Bulls in Nepal
Establishment of Elite Herds of Dairy Cattle
and Buffaloes
The diversity of animal genetic resources in the country
is shrinking due to introduction of exotic blood and
lack of promotion of indigenous animal germplasm (Farm
Animal Genetic Resources, 1997). There may be many breeds/strains
of domesticated animals and birds that need to be identified
and characterized. The importance and value of the local
breeds/strains has to be established and evaluated for
their merit. Under this programme, activities relating
to identification, characterization of breeds/strains
for their further utilization and conservation are being
implemented. List of the on-going projects of the Division
under the programme is as follows;
- Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Improvement
in Nepal
- Characterization of Native Animal Genetic Resources:
Terai Buffaloes
- Conservation and Utilization of Rare Breeds of
Indigenous Cattle, Achhami
Major Output/Achievements
Genetic Improvement/Breed Development
- Jersey crossbreds (50 to 75%) are suitable for Nepalese
conditions for higher milk production
- Holstein-Friesian should be selected for high intensive
management system
- The native hill cattle blood level should not be
lower than 25% to make effective use of resistant
gene to parasites and diseases prevailing in the cattle
farming system of Nepal
- Native breeds of buffalo like Lime, Parkote and
Gaddi have been identified
- Khari/Hill goats have been proved to be the most
productive breed of goat for hills of Nepal
- Selection within the Hill/Khari goats can improve
the overall productivity
- Wool production of native sheep can be increased
by crossbreeding with exotic breeds (Polworth, Merino
and Border Leicester) of sheep
- Wool obtained from crossbred sheep is not suitable
for making carpet
- Exotic pig breeds adapted and found productive
for our conditions are Hampshire, Yorkshire, Landrace.
Pakhribas black pig is suitable breed for the hills
of Nepal
- Angora rabbits can be successfully reared in the
hilly region of Nepal
- German Angora rabbits are suitable breed for our
condition
- Dual purpose poultry breeds (New Hampshire and
Austrolorp) have been recommended for scavenging and
semi intensive system
Reproductive Physiology and Biotechnology
- Semen production techniques in cattle and buffaloes
established
- Egg Yolk Citrate (EYC), Lactose-Fructose Egg Yolk
(LFEY) and TRIS diluents are equally effective for
freezing the semen of cattle and buffalo
- TRIS is found to be more effective in buffalo semen
- Heat shynchronization protocol is established for
indigenous cattle and buffaloes. They are two dose
of prostaglandin hormone at 11 days apart (day 0 and
at 11 day after 1st injection) to cyclic buffaloes
and cattle are effective for bringing them on heat.
Similarly, one dose of prostaglandin and two dose
of gonadotrophin (GnRH) at 14 days apart to non-cyclic
cattle and buffaloes are effective for bringing them
on heat
- Embryo transfer (ET) techniques in cattle established
Establishment of Elite Herds of Dairy Cattle
and Buffaloes
- Altogether 25 native breeds have been identified.
They are Lulu, Achhami, Khaila, Terai Pahari and Yak
in cattle; Lime, Parkote and Gaddi in buffaloes; Khari,
Terai, Sinhal and Chyangra in goats; Lampuchhre, Kage,
Baruwal and Bhyanglung in sheep; Hurrah, Chwanche
and Bampudke in pigs; Sakini, Ghanti Khuile and Puwankh
Ulte in chicken and Jumli horse in horse
- All of these have been identified at phenotypic
level while a few are characterized at chromosomal
level and one at DNA level
- Status of these breeds in relation to conservation
determined
Researchers
Contact Address
Pasture and Fodder Research Division
National Animal Science Research Institute (NASRI)
Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal
PO Box 11660, Kathmandu
Tel: 977-1-5523038 (O) Fax: 977-1-5542903
977-1-5533065 (Res)
Email: khm@pfrd.wlink.com.np,
dilaxmi@yahoo.com
Website: www.narc.org.np
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