Page 35 - Agroforestry system - book inner (final corrected) - 9.-3-21_Neat

National level e-symposium on “Agroforestry system for augmenting livestock
productivity and empowering resource poor rural farmers”

INTEGRATING LIVESTOCK IN THE EXISTING AGRO FORESTRY CROPPING
PATTERNS IS SUSTAINABLE – NAMAKKAL EXPERIENCE

B.Mohan
Dean
Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal -637002.
deanvcri@tanuvas.org.in

The soil, terrain of land, rainfall pattern, cannot be altered. Traditional crops and livestock farming
cannot be intervened by new variety, agronomical practices, shelter management improve the productivity.
This write up tells about the basic understanding of the district geography, rainfall, human population, change
in livestock population and some of the intervention carried out in the livestock sector in integrating with agro
forestry.

Namakkal district comes under the North western Agro climatic zone of Tamil Nadu. Except Tiruchengode
block which fall under western agro climatic zone. Kolli hills is part of the eastern ghats. Small hillocks are
isolated over Namakkal, Tiruchengode and Rasipuram blocks with valleys. The major rivers are Cauveri
flowing through 70 kms covering Pallipalayam, Paramathi and Mohanur blocks. Thirumanimuthar flows from
Salem through Namakkal. The land elevation is grouped in three major categories as Lower elevation : 150
mts MSL ( Namakkal and Paramthi taluks near Cauvery river), Mid elevation : 150 to 300mts MSL ( Major
taluks) and High elevation : 300 to 600mts MSL ( Spreads over Rasipuram and Namakkal taluks.) The MSL
of Kolli hills is 1000 mts.

Human Poulation : As per 2011 census the human population in Namakkal district is 17,26,601.Nearly
1,52,497 are cultivators and 2,28,641 are agricultural labourers. Total workers are 8,98,245 and non- workers
are 8,28,356. Only traditional farmers are practicing agriculture, their children are educated and a either
employed or not interested in agriculture. The reason being nowadays agriculture and allied activities is non-
profitable due to less remunerative price, drought, shortage of work force.

Land Utilisation : The forest cover is 1401 ha , Reserve forest of 42507 ha, Net area sown 139330 ha,
barren and uncultivable area -24454 ha, permanent pastures and other grazing land -6663. ha. Land under
Miscellaneous tree crops and Groves not included in net area sown 3767 ha. Cultivable waste -4759 ha,
current fallows -65726 ha, other fallow land -9321 ha. The total land area is about 3306 sq.km.

Farmers intervention in intergrating Desi Chicken in orchards : Horticultural crops like Mango, Sapota,
Coconut area is increasing. Farmers have started growing desi chickens in Sapota and Mango orchards. The
birds feed on the natural pastures, insects and fallen fruits. Supplementary grains like sorghum, broken rice
are fed. Desi chicken fetch on an average Rs. 250 to 300 kg /kg live weight. And attain 1.5 kg in 5 to 6 months
period. Desi chicken eggs are sold @ Rs.5 to 7 in retail markets. They vaccinate the birds against Ranikhet
disease by giving Lasota vaccine on the 7 th and 14 day followed by fowl pox vaccine on 10 week. Layers
th
th
maintained for egg production are vaccinated RDVK vaccine on 16-18th week. Of late deworming prior to
vaccination is also followed. Progressive farmers attend training in KVKs, VCRI, Namakkal on brooding
, hatching, feeding management aspects. Some also rear Namakkal Chicken a four way cross developed

16 Institute of Animal Nutrition, Centre for Animal Production Studies, TANUVAS
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development