Scope of crop residue utilization
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Changing resource/demand patterns force society to look for other ways to produce. These shifts in resource use (e.g. between grazing- based and straw - based feeding systems) reflect shifts in the relative scarcity of resources used in production.
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This is clearly seen now where rapid increases in agricultural productivity and output in Punjab and Haryana has led to labour shortages and increased wage rates, leading to innovations in labour - saving mechanical technologies (such as tractor ploughing and combine harvesting) and chemical technologies (use of herbicides to reduce weeding labour).
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The same parallels can be applied to the livestock sector where increasing scarcities of common grazing lands led to increased reliance on feeding of crop residues and by-products. In present days it has become difficult to let the animals graze on common grounds, village land and forests.
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There is even a feeling that a cow that used to provide wealth and power, now costs money and feed to maintain. From being a "kamdhenu", i.e. the cow that provides all the needs, livestock are slowly but surely becoming a burden.
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Feed needs now to be purchased and straw has to be stored and kept for feeding, whereas in the past the straw was often left in the field or burned.
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From these examples, it becomes clear that fibrous crop residues (straws) are becoming the basal feedstock for the survival of many village animals. Also in cities the straws become expensive as source of fibre for high producing animals.
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The more valuable crop residues like brans and oilcakes are increasingly being taken to urban centres where they serve as feed for high milk producers or for pigs and poultry. Also, they are exported to other countries, depriving the place of origin from valuable minerals and a possibility to add value.
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Last modified: Monday, 1 August 2011, 7:03 AM
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