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Part VI :
Feed Resources
Karnataka has the second largest arid zone in the country. Out of a net cultivable area of 99 lakh ha in the
state, about 34 per cent has assured irrigation and the fodder cultivation is relegated to unproductive
land which is dependent on rainfall. The total availability of feed resources in the state is lower than
overall requirement.
In case of green fodder, the area under crop is practically negligible in thedistricts of Bellary, Chikmagalur,
Chitradurga, Gadag, Kodagu, Koppal, Raichur, Shimoga. These districts face acute fodder shortage even
in normal years.
Dry matter availability from crop residues in the districts of Belgaum, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan,
Mandya, Tumkur and Kolar is considerably lower than the requirement due to higher density of dairy
animal population in these regions.