Strengthening livelihood of rural farmer populations through improved grasslands

Abstract

This paper reviews the current background of the grassland resource with a purpose of livestock perspective to improve the livelihood of rural farmers. The use of grasslands for livestock rearing by rural farmers has been a long tradition. In climate and vegetation contrast, these grasslands are much more diverse. They are likely to play an economical role in increasing the milk production in many Asian countries. With an increase of human population, the traditional feeding, breeding and surviving habitats for livestock have been acutely restricted in many countries. Therefore, a continued effort is needed to maintain production for sustainable management of grassland resource for rural farmers. Pastoralism in wildlife protected area must be gradually proscribed and encouraged to form community grasslands. In addition, issues such as development of water resources, extension and education must be considered as higher attentions than basic grassland principles.