Abstract
The effects of grazing the natural herbage growing in coconut plantations on the growth and reproduction of indigenous cattle, as well as on coconut production and soil fertility, were examined in an experiment of 6 years’ duration. The growth, reproduction and lactation of the Zebu heifers was poor when no feed supplement was given. Provision of rice straw or, better, rice straw plus concentrates, greatly Improved cattle performance. There was also an increase in coconut production, both with grazing alone and with each Increment of supplement, associated with improved soil water-holding capacity. It Is concluded that a management system based on resources available to local farmers can achieve sustainable improvements of both stock performance and crop production as well as soil fertility.
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