Silvipasture Research in India

The pressure on land is increasing day by day to get food, fodder, fuel wood, timber etc. due to increase in human and livestock population of India. Therefore, the existing natural resources are deteriorating and creating the land degradation. To minimize the land degradation and fulfill the demand of fuel wood, timber, green and dry forages for human and livestock in the country, silvipastoral system has been identified as an ideal alternative. Research works reported in the literature on various aspects such as establishment, forage production from under storey, leaf fodder and fuel wood through pruning of trees, total production from the system, livestock production, soil amelioration, changes in microclimate, grass and tree interaction and economics of the system has been collected and discussed in this review. Studies revealed that total biomass and livestock production per unit area and per unit time can be enhanced manifold through silvipastoral system as compared to grazing lands available in the present situation.