An Appraisal of the Dairy Farming Practices and Feeding System in Mizoram

The farming and feeding practices of dairy cattle in Mizoram was assessed through surveys conducted in Aizawl district of Mizoram. The study revealed practices of intensive rearing of dairy animals and feeding of concentrates and unconventional roughages. The concentrates fed to the animals were commercial cattle feed or compounded or wheat bran alone or rice bran alone or home-grown maize mixing with other concentrate feeds. The roughage utilised for feeding were various unconventional jungle grasses / shrubs and tree leaves. Total 40 different species of tree leaves were found to be fed by the farmers to dairy cattle in Mizoram. Supplementary feeding, except uses of common salt with concentrate, was uncommon. High price of concentrate feeds and unavailability of individual feed ingredients were the main feeding constraints. Information about the nutritional values of the unconventional roughages, availability of concentrate at ease and affordable cost and technical-financial supports for cultivation of fodders are suggested for upliftment of dairy cattle farming of Mizoram.