Climate-Resilient Poultry Feeding in Integrated Farming Systems of Northeast India

Abstract

Climate change has had a significant impact on the North-eastern region of India, especially Meghalaya. This includes rising mean annual temperatures, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and deteriorating soil health, etc. In spite of these challenges, the locals have followed sustainable agricultural practices that allow for improved adaptation to climate change, reduced environmental degradation caused by agriculture, and better utilization of natural resources. One such approach is the integrated farming system (IFS) of agricultural practice that combines crops, livestock, fisheries, and agroforestry to maximize resource use and diversify farmer’s income. The principle of IFS is based on the effective recycling of resources, whereby the waste generated from one component is recycled and used as a resource for the other component. Here, we present the study on the utilisation of locally grown weed (Alligator weed) and herb (Peppermint) as feed supplement for enhanced production and improved health in grower chickens. In previously published work, for alligator weed experiment, 800 Vanaraja chicks were subjected to 4 dietary groups over summer and winter for 35 days- the control, 1%, 2% and 4% alligator weed supplemented group. And similarly, 240 roosters chicks were studied for peppermint experiment over 35 days, and were divided into 3 groups- the control group, 0.5% and 1% supplemented with Peppermint. It was found the beneficial effects of supplementation in grower chicken with alligator weed (1%) in winter season and peppermint (1%) in summer season in Umiam, Meghalaya weather condition when the ambient temperature varies with the thermal comfort zone of the poultry birds for its optimal production. It has higher body weight, greater average weight gain and a better feed conversion ratio. The weed and herb are easily grown and available resources in the traditional bun cultivation system of agriculture practice by the state’s tribal communities or the bench terracing on hilly slopes by levelling out slopes to enhance water retention and lessen soil erosion.  Effective utilisation of plant resources (weed and herb) grown in the cultivation system which otherwise would have compete with other cultivated crops be use for enhancing poultry production is an implementable intervention for ameliorating food security, sustainability, and resilience in integrated system approach of agriculture. Therefore, climate adaptive management can serve to overcome the challenges in promoting sustainable practices in agriculture.