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Composition and Distribution of Fodder Trees in the Floodplain Area of Bangladesh

M. D. Miah
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

M. K. Noman
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was undertaken to assess the composition and distribution of fodder trees, percenta ge of fodder species and sources of tree fodder. A total of 24 fodder trees were identified in the study area. Among the fodder trees, 21 species were indigenous and only 3 were exotics; 7 were horticultural, 9 timber and 8 fuelwood species. Among the horticultural species Kanthal (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Boroi (Ziziphus mauritiana), Am (Mangifera indica) and Peyara (Psidium guajava) were found in all household categories. Tentul (Tamarindus indica) and Dewa (Artocarpus lakoocha) were found in medium and large household categories while Sajina (Moringa oleifera) was found in small and large farm categories. Among fuel wood species, Kapila ( Garuga pinnata ) , Mandar (Erythrina indica), Menda (Litsea polyantha ), Sheora (Streb/us asper) and Jiban ( Trema orientalis) were found most common in all the household categories that revealed farmer's most preferred fodder species. Dumur (Ficus racemosa) were found in all farm categories except the margina l category. Bot (Ficus benghalensis) and Hijal (Barringtonia acutangula) were found in medium and large farmer. Among the timber species, Silkoroi (Albizia procera ), Bamboo (Bambusa spp.), Ipil-ipil (Leucaena leucocephala) and Simul (Bombax ceiba) were very common in all the farm categories. It was found that the average number of fodder species per household increased with the increase in farmsize.

Keywords: Animal health, Fodder, Fodder trees, Folldplain area

Location: Homna Upazilla of Comilla district, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Fodder

Objectives:

To assess the composition and distribution of fodder trees, percentage of fodder species and sources of tree fodder.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in the Hornna Upazilla of Comilla district, Bangladesh, occupying an area of 180.13 sq km including 13.16 sq km river area. Hornna Upazilla is located between 23° 3' and 23°45' north latitudes and between 90°38' and 90°53' east longitudes (BBS, 1995). The area enjoys a tropical monsoon climate wi th mean annual temperature of 25 .5°C and mean annual rainfall of 2131 mm (Anon 1999). The whole Hornna Upazilla is included in the Middle Meghna River Floodplain. The soil pH ranges from 4 .9 to 6.9 (Anon 1999). Ten villages were selected for the study following stratified random sampling technique taking one village from each union of Honma Upazilla out of 13 Upazilla in Comilla district. The farmers were stratified into marginal (0.21-0.50 ha), small (0.51-1.00 ha), medium (1.01-2.00 ha) and large (above 2.00 ha). Out of this stratification, 40 households, 4 from each village of which one belongs to each stratum i.e. overall 10 from each stratum were then selected randomly forming a total of 40 households. Farmers without cows and goats were excluded from the survey. Study was conducted for gathering data by interview method using a pre-sorted questionnaire during June-August, 2001. Data were collected from the head of a family.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 20(1&2) 67-71, 2007 (December), ISSN 0253-5432

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Apart from the own land, farmers in the study area collected tree fodder from other sources such as neighbors, relatives and public land (government roadside, public playground and others) too. It was revealed that cent percent marginal and small farmers collected tree fodder from neighbors, relatives and public land that indicates an acute fodder shortage. Medium and large farmers also gathered the tree fodder from the sources of neighbors, relatives and public land but the percent of respondents were smaller compared to marginal and small farmer. The potential of fodder trees explored from the flood plain area may be an important tool to plan the livestock management in respect of nutrition, especially setting priorities in the crisis period. The policy maker, forester and livestock professionals may use the findings of this study to overcome the fodder scarcity for the development of the livestock resources in Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal