Green fodder is essential for livestock productivity and rural livelihoods in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir. However, factors such as limited land resources, crop competition, climate variability, and low adoption of improved fodder practices continue to affect fodder availability among farmers. This study investigates the factors influencing the green fodder availability within the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir. Utilizing a descriptive research design and a purposive-cum-multi-stage random sampling technique, data were collected from 160 farmers across the Jammu and Kathua districts. Data were gathered through a pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule. The regression analysis revealed that the model accounted for a substantial share of variation in fodder availability. Landholding size was found to be a significant positive determinant, while a higher proportion of land under cereals, oilseeds, millets and pulses negatively affected the fodder availability indicating limitations associated with crop specialization. While livestock ownership and access to markets showed relatively weaker or situation-specific effects. The findings recommended that land resources and cropping choices play a central role and there is a need to encourage diversification, integrated farming systems and stronger extension efforts to improve fodder availability and support livestock-based livelihoods.
Sharma et al. (Thu,) studied this question.