Use of lesser-known plants and plant parts as animal feed resources in tropical regions
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A study was conducted to harvest indigenous knowledge on feed resources with the aim to enlarge feed resource base by identifying alternative and lesser-known feeds. For sustainable intensification of animal production, the use of such feed materials is of great importance mainly for three reasons: the global demand for grains being higher than the global grain production, stiff competition between man and livestock for the existing food and feed resources, and the need for feeds that are adapted to harsh environmental conditions due to the ongoing climate change. The study identified 20 plants which are available in harsh environment conditions of the tropics and sub-tropics, palatable to animals, fed by farmers and contain crude protein levels higher than some commonly used ruminant feeds. Other nutritional and medicinal attributes reported by the respondents are also discussed in this paper. The cultivation, use and promotion of such under-utilized plants, avai lable in harsh environment conditions, will enhance plant biodiversity and also increase animal productivity in challenging situations of high temperature, water scarcity and soil degradation being increasingly inflicted by the ongoing climate change.