Poster 1.3: Basic reasons for failure of silage production in Pakistan - Syed Hassan Raza

INTRODUCTION

In Pakistan, the livestock industry has annually to face two periods of severe fodder scarcity (May-June and October-November) that have a big effect on animal production. Conserving surplus fodder in the form of silage and using it during periods of shortage can avoid these problems. Silage technology was introduced into Pakistan almost two decades ago by various government and international agencies. Despite heavy inputs in terms of time and money, silage production has not found a place in traditional livestock feeding and production systems. The present study aimed to investigate the question of failure of silage making and feeding in Pakistan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a pre-tested questionnaire, 150 livestock producing farmers, 50% living in areas under government institutions influence (AUGII) and 50% at a distance (FAD), in different agricultural communities, were selected at random and interviewed for 30 minutes, about silage making, costs, feeding and other allied problems.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Results show that more that 90% of AUGII farmers were aware of silage making and its feeding, whilst only 10% of FADs had knowledge of this technology (Table 1).

Table 1. Farmers responses about silage technology (%)

It was noted that farmers living in AUGII, because they had more knowledge about silage feeding, wanted to continue with this practice, but due to high production and labour costs were not able to do so. However, they showed a positive response to the use of silage if it could be commercially made and sold at reasonable prices, as is the case with poultry rations. The impact of government and international agencies was restricted to those farmers living near government institutes and in peri-urban areas.

Table 2. Constraints identified related to silage making (%)

Notes: NI = No idea.

Small areas of land available and small animal units were major factors that affected silage production (Table 2). Most farmers owned only a few acres of land (3 to 5 acres per family) and their major concern was with cash crop production, and they owned small animal units of 1 or 2 animals to meet their daily household needs. For such a small unit, farmers can easily get fodder from barren lands, roadsides and canal sides, or by working in larger-scale farmers’ fields.

CONCLUSIONS

(i) High production cost, limited land available and small animal units are major constraints that militate against farmers selecting silage production.

(ii) The cost:benefit ratio is not impressive due to small size of animal units.

(iii) To reduce the production cost, large-scale commercial production of silage should be started.

(iv) Effective extension work and feedback is required.