Pakistan Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP)

About

In Pakistan, the fodder crops grown cover between 4 to 6 percent of the total cropped area which clearly indicates the limited uptake of these important crops and forages as part of a livestock feed regime. Consequently, animals barely meet their maintenance requirements. In order to improve livestock productivity it is critical to provide additional fodder to compensate for low quality roughages. Improved varieties of fodder were provided to poor farmers to improve their livelihoods.

Impact

Goals

Enhancing the roles that livestock play in food security and poverty alleviation in Pakistan at small household level for a food-secure future.

Objectives

Improving the economic growth, agricultural development, and food security in Pakistan.

Impact pathways

The potential benefits of this project from identifiying and promoting improved forage varieties with high yield potential with appropriate agronomic practices in Pakistan would substantially be at economic, social and environmental level. The dissemination of rangeland practices and forage varieties, in addition to the assessment of rapid small ruminants value chain, are leading to increased income for small householders. The result is given by increased livelihood opportunities. The new knowledge and skills acquired by professional and technical staff of various stakeholders (research institutions, farmers) will help in adopting and applying new technologies generated and demonstrated in their regular activities to sustain the project achievements. The several training of students and researchers, funded with the project budget, will equip them with knowledge and skills to develop and improve new technologies in the agricultural/husbandry sector, such as rangeland management, fodder production and small ruminants supplemental feeding regimes in arid agro-pastoral systems in Pakistan.