Boosting Pakistan's Livestock Economy Through Fodder

Pakistan’s livestock sector survives on one simple foundation: fodder. Healthy fodder means healthy animals, higher milk production, better meat quality, and stronger rural incomes. For millions of small farmers, fodder crops are not just animal feed, they are the economic engine that keeps households running. Today, fodder crops are grown on nearly 3.6 million hectares across Pakistan and produce around 176.9 million tons annually (GoP, 2024). According to government estimates, fodder contributes 3.2% to agricultural value-added and about 0.7% to the national GDP (Rasheed and Ahmad, 2025). Punjab alone accounts for nearly 92.6% of the total fodder area, followed by Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan (GoP, 2024).

Among all fodder crops, berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), commonly known as Egyptian clover, remains the king of winter fodder in Pakistan. Introduced in Sindh’s Mirpurkhas district in 1904, berseem quickly spread across irrigated regions because farmers recognized its value for milk-producing animals (Saeed et al., 2011). Rich in protein (18.3%), calcium, phosphorus, and carotene, berseem not only improves livestock nutrition but also enriches soil fertility because it is a leguminous crop (Rasheed and Ahmad, 2025). Yet despite its importance, Pakistan continues to face severe fodder shortages. The country’s average berseem yield remains around 49.16 tons per hectare (Leghari et al., 2018), far below its actual potential. At the same time, livestock numbers have expanded rapidly. Pakistan now has approximately 231.34 million livestock animals, including cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep, camels, horses, and donkeys (GoP, 2024). The rising livestock population intensifies pressure on existing limited fodder resources.

Why Higher Yields Remain Unattainable for Many Farmers

Low yield potential is primarily linked to management practices rather than the crop itself. Research shows that berseem can produce nearly 100 tons of green fodder per hectare under proper conditions, yet average farm yields remain much lower, around 64.8 tons per hectare in many areas (Leghari et al., 2018).

Several factors contribute to this gap. Many farmers still use traditional land preparation methods, delay sowing, applying unbalanced fertilizers, or irrigate irregularly. In some cases, farmers simply lack access to updated information and technical support. Climate stress and water shortages are making the situation even more difficult. Poor irrigation management reduces plant growth, weakens nutrient uptake, and lowers both fodder quantity and quality. Meanwhile, increasing urbanization and the growing shift toward cash crops are reducing the land available for fodder cultivation. Encouragingly, research conducted across Pakistan shows that relatively simple improvements can dramatically increase fodder productivity without requiring extremely expensive technologies.

Adopting Improved Farming Methods Can Significantly Boost Fodder Production

One of the most effective improvements begins with proper land preparation. Studies show that conventional tillage, using a chisel plow twice, followed by disc harrowing and leveling, can produce fresh fodder yields of around 85.1 tons per hectare, significantly higher than reduced or zero tillage systems (Hassan et al., 2022).

Proper sowing time plays a crucial role. In Lower Sindh, research from Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam found that sowing berseem between 15 and 30 October produces the best results (Mahar et al., 2017). Very early slowing or delayed planting beyond late October can significantly reduce fodder and seed yield. In Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, snowing from late September to mid-October generally performs best depending on local climate conditions (Amanullah et al., 2005).

Proper irrigation water management is equally critical. Berseem responds strongly to regular irrigation. Research conducted at Sindh Agriculture University showed that applying 12 irrigations at 15-day intervals, combined with balanced fertilizer application, produced higher yields and better economic returns. In water-scarce areas, farmers can still achieve reasonable production by applying eight irrigations with an interval of 18 days (Leghari et al., 2018).

Balanced fertilizer use also plays a major role in increasing fodder productivity. Studies at Livestock Production Research Institute (LPRI), Bahadurnagar Okara found that berseem produced up to 111 tons per hectare of green fodder when phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen were applied in balanced quantities (Rasheed and Ahmad, 2025). Adding farmyard manure at an application rate of 10 tons per hectare further improved soil fertility and moisture retention (Khan et al., 2025).

Intercropping Opportunities for a Higher Fodder Yield

Another promising strategy is mixed cropping. Instead of growing berseem alone, farmers can combine it with oats or barley to improve overall fodder production (Salama, 2020). Research at Ayub Agricultural Research Institute Faisalabad showed that a combination of 75% berseem and 25% oats produced the highest green fodder yield of approximately 136.58 tons per hectare (Salama, 2020). A similar combination with barley also performed very well. These mixed systems provide farmers with more balanced and abundant fodder, especially during the early cuts when berseem alone usually produces lower biomass. However, maximum fodder quality, particularly for milk-producing animals, pure berseem remains highly valuable.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s livestock economy cannot achieve sustainable growth without addressing its fodder challenge. With livestock numbers increasing and pressure on agricultural land intensifying, improving fodder productivity has become essential for food security, dairy development, and rural livelihoods. The encouraging reality is that Pakistan already possesses the knowledge needed to improve production. Research institutions across the country have demonstrated that better tillage, timely sowing, proper irrigation scheduling, balanced fertilizer application, and mixed cropping can substantially increase fodder yields and improve farm profitability. The real challenge now is implementation. Farmers need stronger extension services, practical field-level training, and affordable access to quality inputs, and institutional support that translates research into action. If Pakistan successfully closes the fodder yield gap, the benefits will extend far beyond livestock farms. Higher fodder productivity will strengthen milk and meat production, improve rural incomes, reduce feed shortages, and contribute to long-term agricultural sustainability.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is affiliated with the Drainage and Reclamation Institute of Pakistan (DRIP), Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and can be reached at nazargul43@gmail.com

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