Towards a water and nutrient efficient forage production in semi-arid regions of Pakistan

Green forage is the most important feed for livestock in Pakistan but with rapid urbanisation demands are increasing with reduced arable land. The first study of this book is about socio-economic structure of forage producing farmers. This study identified availability of irrigation water and high cost of fertilizers as major problems of the farmers. Second study of this book investigates the effect of cropping system, fertilizer and irrigation on total annual biomass yield of forage. This study found drought adoptive cropping system more productive and water use efficient with limited resources of fertilizer and irrigation. Third study evaluates the effect of fertilizer, irrigation and cropping system on crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) and irrigation water use efficiency of CP and ME. This study also identified drought adoptive cropping system more productive and water use efficient with respect to CP and ME. From the whole study it can be concluded that the implementation of DACS in Pakistan’s agriculture may contribute to a more efficient and sustainable forage production and by this may enhance also the profitability of the farmers.