Transforming Livestock with High-Yield Fodder

Fodder crops form the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural economy, sustaining a livestock sector that contributes nearly 62.68% to agricultural value-added and 14.36% to the national GDP (GoP, 2024). This sector not only ensures food security through milk and meat production but also provides livelihoods for millions of rural households. Despite its importance, fodder cultivation remains underdeveloped. Grown at approximately 3.60 million hectares with an annual output of 176.88 million tons, the sector faces persistent yield and quality constraints (GoP, 2024). The national average fodder yield is alarmingly low at 49.16 tons per hectare below potential causing a substantial supply-demand gap amid a livestock population that has surged to 231.34 million heads (GoP, 2024; Leghari et al., 2018).

This imbalance is further aggravated by two critical forage scarcity periods, November to January and May to June, when fresh feed becomes scarce and prices of available fodder spike (Rasheed & Ahmad, 2025). Additionally, growing competition for land and water from lucrative cash crops such as sugarcane and wheat further reduces fodder availability. The outcome is a widespread nutritional deficit in livestock diets, leading to lower milk yield, poor meat quality, and reduced reproductive performance, directly impacting rural income and national food security.

Among available options, Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), a nutrient-rich legume containing about 18.3% protein, stands out as a promising solution. Introduced in 1904, it is well-suited to Pakistan’s agro-climatic conditions and offers multiple cuttings per season. Yet, despite a potential yield exceeding 100 tons per hectare, the average farmer harvests only 64.80 tons (Leghari et al., 2018). Bridging this yield gap demands a coordinated approach integrating improved seed varieties, balanced fertilization, optimized irrigation, and farmer training through extension services. Strengthening institutional support, promoting research, and developing region-specific best practices are essential steps toward achieving sustainable fodder productivity and ensuring a resilient livestock economy in Pakistan.

The Integrated Strategy for Maximizing Berseem Yield

Bridging the yield gap in Berseem cultivation requires more than isolated improvements, it demands a comprehensive, integrated approach that harmonizes agronomic, environmental, and management strategies. Research and field experience reveal that a well-coordinated system of tillage, sowing, irrigation, nutrient management, and intercropping can boost yields by 35–50%, turning fodder farming into a high-return, sustainable enterprise. Such an integrated strategy ensures that both productivity and soil health improve simultaneously, securing long-term benefits for Pakistan’s livestock-dependent rural economy.

A crucial first step lies in optimized tillage, which creates an ideal seedbed and enhances root development. Studies by Hassan et al. (2022) confirm that conventional tillage consisting of two chisel plow passes to a depth of 30 cm, followed by disc harrowing and leveling provides the best soil structure and moisture retention. This method yields up to 85.1 tons per hectare, surpassing reduced tillage (79.3 t/ha) and no-till systems (67.1 t/ha). The enhanced soil aeration and weed suppression achieved through this method contributes to robust plant establishment and vigorous growth, providing a strong foundation for high productivity.

Sowing time also plays a decisive role in determining total output and the number of harvests. Regional adaptation is key: in lower Sindh, the optimal sowing window for the ‘Egyptian’ Berseem variety is between October 15th and 30th, while in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sowing from late September to mid-October ensures optimal performance (Mahar et al., 2017). Delayed sowing, often due to overlapping with summer crop harvesting, reduces the number of possible cuttings and limits overall yield potential. Early establishment before the onset of winter allows the crops to take full advantage of favorable growing conditions.

Given Pakistan’s increasing water stress, data-driven irrigation scheduling is vital for efficient water use and yield optimization. Research at Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, indicates that 12 irrigations at 15-day intervals, combined with balanced fertilization, produce the highest yields and economic returns (Leghari et al., 2018). For water-scarce regions, eight irrigations at 18-day intervals are sufficient to maintain acceptable yields. Regular irrigation immediately after each cutting is critical for rapid regrowth and sustaining multiple harvests throughout the season.

Another cornerstone of yield improvement is balanced nutrient management through Integrated Nutrient Management (INM). Combining inorganic fertilizers with organic inputs improves soil structure, nutrient availability, and microbial activity. A three-year study in Okara revealed that the application of 90 kg/ha P₂O₅, 60 kg/ha K₂O, and 62 kg/ha Nitrogen produced an impressive 111 tons of green fodder per hectare (Rasheed & Ahmad, 2025). Similarly, research from the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, found that incorporating 10 tons per hectare of Farmyard Manure (FYM) before sowing enhances soil fertility and green fodder yield (Khan et al., 2025).

Lastly, strategic mixed cropping offers a means to intensify production while improving fodder quality. Experiments at the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, showed that intercropping 75% Berseem with 25% oats resulted in the highest yield of 136.58 tons/ha, followed closely by a 75% Berseem and 25% barley mixture yielding 129.83 tons/ha (Salama, 2020). These combinations not only optimize land use and balance nutrient uptake but also provide higher-quality fodder and stronger initial cuts compared to pure Berseem stands.

In conclusion, maximizing Berseem yield requires a cohesive strategy where soil health, water management, nutrition, and cropping systems work in unison. When applied systematically, these integrated practices can transform Pakistan’s fodder sector from a struggling sub-sector into a thriving pillar of livestock productivity and rural economic resilience.

The Role of Institutional Support and Technology Transfer

The transformation of Pakistan’s fodder sector particularly in maximizing Berseem yield cannot rely solely on technological innovations; it requires robust institutional support and effective mechanisms for technology transfer. Without an enabling policy and institutional environment, even the most advanced agronomic solutions remain confined to experimental plots rather than reaching farmers’ fields. To bridge this gap, coordinated action among government institutions, research organizations, and the private sector is essential.

Policy incentives form the cornerstone of this transformation. Smallholder farmers, who make up the majority of Pakistan’s agricultural workforce, often struggle to adopt improved technologies due to high upfront costs. Providing subsidies on certified Berseem seeds, laser land levelers, precision irrigation systems, and balanced fertilizers can significantly lower these financial barriers. Similarly, offering low-interest credit facilities and crop insurance schemes tailored for fodder producers would promote greater confidence in adopting modern, sustainable practices.

Equally important is the revitalization of agricultural extension services. Traditional extension models must evolve into dynamic, technology-enabled systems that provide timely, localized guidance. Through mobile applications, SMS alerts, and social media platforms, farmers can receive real-time advisories on sowing schedules, pest management, and irrigation planning. Collaborations with universities and local research stations can ensure that these advisories are evidence-based and region-specific.

Lastly, farmer training programs are indispensable for translating research into practice. Regular field demonstrations, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives should emphasize the integrated package of Berseem management from soil preparation and nutrient balancing to irrigation scheduling and mixed cropping. Training community-level master farmers can further enhance peer-to-peer learning, ensuring continuity and scalability.

In essence, institutional backing and effective technology dissemination are the catalysts that turn research-driven innovation into widespread agricultural transformation, securing Pakistan’s fodder and livestock productivity for the future.

Conclusion

An integrated approach to high-yield fodder production, particularly in Berseem cultivation, holds immense potential to transform Pakistan’s livestock sector and strengthen rural livelihoods. The evidence from research and field practices clearly demonstrates that synchronized improvements in soil management, irrigation scheduling, nutrient balancing, and intercropping can substantially raise productivity while preserving soil health. However, realizing this potential requires more than agronomic efficiency it demands sustained institutional commitment and effective technology dissemination.

Strong policy support in the form of subsidies for certified seeds, precision irrigation tools, and balanced fertilizers can reduce adoption barriers for small farmers, who are the backbone of Pakistan’s fodder economy. Equally critical is the modernization of agricultural extension systems through digital tools, enabling farmers to access localized, real-time information for better decision-making. Capacity-building initiatives and farmer training programs must continue to bridge the gap between research and practice, fostering a culture of evidence-based farming.

Ultimately, integrating technological innovation with institutional support will not only enhance fodder yield and livestock productivity but also contribute to national food security, income stability, and sustainable agricultural growth. Such a comprehensive framework can help Pakistan close its persistent fodder gap and move toward a more resilient, self-sufficient livestock economy.

References: GoP; Hassan et al; Khan et al; Leghari et al; Mahar et al; Rasheed & Ahmad; Salama.

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 writers are 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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