Promotion of high yield forage crops in shortfarming rotation system under sprinkler irrigation on marginal lands (Kazakhstan)

Abstract

In southern-western part of Kazakhstan like in other Central Asian countries, intensive irrigation leads to soil erosion, loss of organic matter, salinization and waterlogging. The awareness of farmers on soil/water conservation and management of marginal lands is also very poor. Measures for the reclamation of salt prone marginal lands and water applied to crop and irrigation scheduling is still based on the previous traditional approaches. Furthermore, poor quality of soil and lack of water cause shortages of forage for livestock feeding in arid and semiarid regions are resulting in recurrent malnutrition for rangeland animals. To tackle the associated risks for sustainable agriculture and the long-term welfare of rural communities, researchers point to the need for diversification of agro-biodiversity and development of sustainable arid fodder and livestock feeding production.