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Plant Science Today (PST)

Review Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp5 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Sustainable forage crop production systems for fodder security: A review

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.16406
Submitted
29 June 2026
Published
30-08-2026

Abstract

Livestock farming significantly contributes to India's agricultural sector by supporting rural livelihoods, food and nutritional security, employment and sustainable farming practices. India supports approximately 536.7 million livestock; however, only about 4 % of its cultivable land is devoted to fodder production, resulting in a persistent shortage of quality feed resources. The fodder demand–supply gap has widened due to limited land available for fodder cultivation, degradation of grazing lands, competition with food crops and limited access to improved fodder technologies. Irregular rainfall, droughts and declining forage productivity and quality have further exacerbated these challenges under changing climatic conditions. Reliance on low-quality crop residues and inadequate feed preservation practices adversely affects animal health, livestock productivity and farmers' income. This review synthesises recent advances in sustainable forage production systems, fodder conservation technologies and climate-resilient strategies to identify approaches for improving fodder security and resilient livestock production. It examines the role of quality fodder in improving the efficiency of current livestock production systems by enhancing milk production, reproductive performance and feed-use efficiency, while identifying key challenges, including weak forage seed systems, inadequate extension services and limited policy support. The review concludes that diversified forage systems, improved fodder conservation practices, rehabilitation of grazing resources and integrated crop–livestock systems are essential for strengthening fodder security and ensuring sustainable livestock production in India.

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