Fodder trees in agro-forestry are planted to overcome the effects of the seasonal shortages or to insure against risks of drought and also to deliver benefits such as shelter, soil conservation, timber and fuel wood. An attempt was made to investigate the peformance of fodder trees in the presence and absence of crops.

Based on the traditional wisdom of the tree based farming systems followed since ages across the world, scientific community intervened to harness full benefits of agroforestry land use system and address global issues of land degradation and agricultural sustainability.

The livestock sector globally is highly dynamic. In developing countries, it is evolving in response to rapidly increasing demand for livestock products. In developed countries, demand for livestock products is stagnating, while many production systems are increasing their efficiency and environmental sustainability.

First pulses, now milk. The common household is compelled to give up on its easy sources of protein.

Be it crop residue or unintended green cover, biomass has several uses in India. It is being promoted for power generation. This is increasing fodder prices. Read this special report by Down To Earth on the biomass economy.

Small-scale farmers depend largely on their animals and need to feed them well. Technology based innovations have been the mainstream solution to improve the fodder problem. But making farmers find relevant information and networks appears to be as much effective for innovation.

Olivier De Schutter is the United Nations special rapporteur on the right to food. He aims to inform people at the highest political levels about the role that smallholders play in the world

Orans are a source of food fodder, water and fuel to the livestock communities living in the foothills of Aravallis. Local communities, with the support of KRAPAVIS, an NGO continue to uphold the beneficial practice of preserving Orans.