Sustainable Livestock Feeding Using Native Fodder Plants: Perspectives from Tribal Communities of Balrampur District, Uttar Pradesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32628/IJSRST2613343Keywords:
livestock management, forage/fodder species, ethnobotanical investigationsAbstract
India has a large livestock population but the availability of quality fodder remains a major concern. This scarcity can be effectively addressed by using tree foliage as an alternative or supplemental feed. Fodder crops are grown to supply livestock feed in the form of green forage, silage, or hay. Ethnobotanical investigations were carried out in the Balrampur district in 2023 and 2025 to identify the plant species that the Tharu and other tribal people use for fodder and forage. Semi-structured interviews, guided field walks, conversations, and field observations were carried out to collect data from sixty informants, ages 20 to 80, who were chosen based on previous information. Twenty-five plant species from ten distinct families were recorded in the study. This thorough documentation identifies species with restricted or hazardous use, highlights customary feeding methods, and serves as a useful resource for the region's sustainable livestock management.
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