The role of communal pasture as a source of cattle feed: A case in Lar Badi, Sumbawa

Abstract

Cattle farming plays a significant role in most economic and social societies in Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. In this area, the majority of cattle are grazed extensively in open grassland. The study aimed to evaluate the role of communal pasture range as a source of cattle feed. The method was descriptive with field verification, took place in Lar Badi, Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, which was one out of 59 pastures in Sumbawa. Data related to pasture conditions, beneficiary farmers, and institutional management were collected from different sources. Lar Badi has a total area 460 of ha, where Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health has a program to improve 100 ha of it with pasture grasses and legumes, such as Lamtoro tarramba and Brachiaria decumbens. The number of beneficiary farmers is 177 farmers from 10 farmer groups. The total number of cattle owned by the farmers is 2,941 heads. The combination of L. tarramba and B.decumbens has total production of 3,100 DM t 100 ha−1 yr−1, while the requirement of 2,941 heads or 1,736.99 animal unit (AU) of cattle was 5,205.15 DM t yr−1. The cattle need the addition of 2,105 DM t yr−1. The capacity of Lar Badi is 0,6 AU ha−1 yr−1. The study suggests increasing forage production capacity to sustain cattle feeding in Sumbawa.