Oats - A Source of Fodder supporting Livelihoods of Mountain Communities

Soeyaksa is a 3 days walk from the road towards North of Bhutan. One has to cross more than 8 bridges to reach the place. Soeyaksa originates at a glacier which is the source of Paro River and is spread on the banks of the river. The people in that area are solely dependent upon livestock and their products for their livelihoods. All the other daily food items are transported by horses from the nearest town, Paro. Soeyaksa’s remoteness has resulted in very minimal developmental activities in the area. In addition, the lack of adequate service and infrastructures is a bottleneck for development. The settlements are at an elevation of 3,900 meters above sea level and there are 19 households inhabiting this place. Am Kasang Wangmo is one of the residents of Soeyaksa. She got separated from her husband when her children were very young and now takes care of her 6 children all by herself.

She owned around 80 yaks in the year 2000 of which about 40 were milking. She had a tough time managing her herd especially during the winter/lean period due to high mortality as a result of fodder shortage. Collection of local grass from the forest was a major constraint due to lack of adult manpower. Despite difficult times, Am Kasang has always been very hospitable to all the visitors including the officials of the livestock department who visited her often.

In year 2001 she was selected as one of the pilot farmers’ for testing the oat as fodder crop and comparing it with local wheat. During the same time the livestock department organized a field visit for the herders to various Oat growing sites. Thereafter, the seeds were arranged by the livestock sector officers for free distribution to farmers interested in cultivating oats.

In the following year Am Kasang Wangmo cultivated oats in 660 sqm area of her farm using the free seeds received from the Dzongkhag Livestock office. Success of this endeavor resulted in increase in area under oat cultivation to 2,000 sq mt in year 2004 with due support from the Livestock office. She also initiated the planting of live fencing in order to sustain the barbed wire fencing.

Among the various benefits harvested by Am Kasang Wangmo was the fodder biomass of fresh yield which increased from 23,000 MT to 45,000 MT per acre. Am Kasang and her two daughters also attended a fodder management training programme conducted by the Livestock sector office and have a good knowledge of making good quality hay out of oats. With oat being cultivated in close proximity to her house, she saves time and energy in collecting local grass from the forests. The same time is now better utilized in other income generation activities like collecting and selling of cordyceps (traditional medicine) or locally produced incense; hiring out of horses to tourist and Government officials etc.

With increased availability of fodder, the mortality in her herd has reduced from 10 to 3 per year. Earlier most of the weak animals and calves died due to starvation during the cold winter months when the area was covered with snow. Am Kasang’s herd size has increased from 80 to 120 in the current year (2009). She gives the credit to the Fodder development programme for this positive change.

Before the introduction of oat as a fodder crop, there was hardly any milk available at the household level to prepare tea during the winter months. However, feeding of quality oat hay led to increase in the lactation period by one month and hence the availability of milk during some of the winter months. The gradual increase in the livestock products has also led to better income generation. The number of horses for transporting their ration has increased from 5 to 9 by 2009 with the price ranging from 20,000 to 45,000/horse. Over the years, Am Kasang’s living standard has improved with every passing year. She now also owns a plot in Paro city for her family.

Though, Am Kasang admitted her 3 children in the school, they all dropped out after the 6 to 8th standard and are helping their mother in the farm. The other 3 have left the house after marriage. They are a happy family now and keep receiving a number of guests including people who want to learn from their oat farming practice.

Contributed by - Country Team Bhutan

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