Agroforestry and Fodder Integration: A Sustainable Strategy for Peri-Urban Dairy Production in Punjab, Pakistan

This study aimed to identify the ongoing feeding practices and nutritional strategies in Toba Tek Singh and Sahiwal districts. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews with farmers directly involved in dairy farm operations. A total of 100 respondents (50 from each district) were interviewed using a semi-structured pretested questionnaire. The snowball sampling technique was used to collect data from two types of dairy farms characterized as semi-commercial (SCOM) and commercial (COM) based on the number of dairy animals. Keeping in view the objective of this study, data were collected related to demographic information, location, herd size, milk production, nutritional strategies, feeding practices, types of feed used (green fodder, dry fodder, silage, concentrate, supplements), seasonal variations in feed availability, nutritional management, feed adjustments based on availability, feeding adjustments based on milk yield and lactation stage, environmental considerations, and overall husbandry/management practices. Collected data were tabulated, coded, and statistically analyzed. Results showed that 60% of respondents were farm owners, and 47% had 6-10 years of experience in dairy farming. Knowledge regarding feeding practices was found to be high in 69% of the farmers, while 23% had average knowledge. Modern shed designs were observed on 67% of the farms. Silage was the primary feed used by 67% of farmers, while 33% relied on green fodder, including maize, sorghum, berseem, and alfalfa. Additionally, 91% of respondents prepared their own dry fodder, and 81% prepared homemade silage. Concentrate usage was dominated by commercial mixes (70%), followed by homemade concentrates (20%), cottonseed cake (7%), and wheat bran (3%). A small number (18%) of semi-commercial farms grazed their animals daily, while animals on commercial farms were not allowed to graze. Group feeding was practiced by 75% of farmers, primarily based on production levels (58%). Crop residues were commonly used by 99% of respondents. Feed cost was the major challenge faced by 79% of the farmers, while 21% cited labor costs. Statistically significant differences (P ≤ 0.001) were observed in farm area and daily milk production between the two farm types, with commercial farms yielding higher production (100 ± 3.29 liters) than semi-commercial farms (18 ± 1.29 liters). The number of workers was significantly different (P ≤ 0.005) between the two farm types.