An appraisal of area possessed under forage and pastures by dairy and non dairy farmers in district Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The study was undertaken in three blocks of district Mandi and data were collected about the level of knowledge among dairy and non dairy farmers in district Mandi of Himachal Pradesh. The study reported that the highest average area under cultivated fodder found in Maize crop (0.44ha) followed by Oats (0.25ha), Sorghum (0.16ha) and Berseem (0.15ha) while per non dairy farmer the highest area (0.16ha.) recorded under Maize followed by (0.13ha) Oats, Berseem (0.11ha) and (0.08ha) under Sorghum. As the area possessed under pastures the dairy farmers noticed highest area (0.96ha.) under common pastures followed by (0.68ha) family pasture and (0.24ha). Under hortipastures while in case of per non dairy farmers the highest area (0.93ha) was found under family pasture followed by (0.91ha) common pasture and 0.36ha in hortipasture. As regards to percent area per dairy and non dairy farmers is concerned; the dairy farmers possess more area (14.17%) compared with non dairy farmers (8.43%) in forage crops while non dairy farmer possess more area (34.42%) in pasture compared to dairy farmers (26.65% area). The reasons possessing more area by non dairy farmers under pasture that the maintenance and quality of pastures was not found proper and not getting sufficient fodder out of such pastures.