Herbivores in integrated agriculture and agro-forestry in Asia

摘要

Asia is the major home of herbivores because of the numbers and genetic resources. Let the world population as 100 percent, Asia houses 33% of cattle, 97% of buffalo, 90% of yak, 64% of goat and 43% of sheep. Herbivores are a major component of the Asia agricultural economy and are largely owned by small holders in Asia area. They provide food, generate cash income and enhance crop production, in addition to providing fuels and draught power. Herbivores produce major share of milk and meat for the Asian population. While the total production has increased during recent years mostly due to the increased number of animals raised, productivity has not been improved parallel to match the increased demand. Technical, social and policy supports would be necessary if productivity is to be improved. Herbivores are raised under a variety of systems in Asia. Grassland-based production system is localized in specific agro-ecological zone such as Mongolia and some parts of Pakistan and Nepal where overgrazing and consequently environmental degradation is of concern. Mixed/integrated farming system is by far the most important production system in Asia, providing 90% of milk and 77% of ruminant meat. The above systems are prevalent especially in South and Southeastern Asian countries. Various integrated systems exist depending on climatic condition, feed availability and marketing structure. Integrating herbivores and tree crops is regarded as a realistic system in some countries, which is likely to become the predominant system in Asia in the nearest future. Increasing human population in irrigated arable land is likely to give rise to the need to develop the rain-fed area, where herbivores can be a component of production system. There is rapid expansion of intensive livestock production in some part of Asia because of the increased population and purchasing power. Although the system has being proven to be economically efficient for milk and meat production, but to be sustainable, problems such as rising cost of imported feeds, environmental pollution and disease outbreak must be addressed.