Silvopasture system

Silvopasture system

News: An article was covered recently in DTE magazine.

Instruction – Use such examples in your GS-III mains answers.

What is Silvopasture system?
• It is an agroforestry practice that integrates livestock, forage production, and forestry on the same land management unit.
• Silvopasture is the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land. These systems are intensively managed for both forest products and forage, providing both short- and longterm income sources.

How are Silvopastures created?
• Silvopasture systems are created by introducing forage into a woodland or tree plantation or by introducing trees into a pasture.
• Rotational grazing is a key management activity when using silvopasture in order to minimize damage to trees. Special considerations and planning must also be taken into account for long-term tree regeneration.

Some benefits of Silvopasture are:
• Reduction in soil erosion and enhances water storage potential.
• Shade for livestock.
• The trees on silvopasture lands act as natural carbon sinks, sequestering five to 10 times more carbon then pastures without tree.
• Increased biological diversity
• Improved forage quality
• Reduces heat stress in livestock which improves animal performance and well-being. It also regulates local climatic conditions.