The role of nitrogen fixing trees in forage production systems of dryland small farmers of East Nusa Tenggara

The potential of nitrogen fixing trees (NY;Ts) for fodder is well known in the East Nusa Tenggara region. Species popular among the local farmers are Acacia angustissima, Acacia leucophloea, Acacia nilotica, Acacia villosa, Calliandra calothyrsus, Erythrina species, Gliciridia sepium, Leucaena diversifolia, Leucaena leucocephala, Leucaena pallida, Sesbania grandiflora, Sesbania sesban, and leucaena hybrids KX1, KX2, and KX3. Most of the smallholders of East Nusa Tenggara have integrated food crops, plantation crops, forage crops, and livestock into their farming systems. In these systems, the arable land is used for food and plantation crops, while the land unsuitable for crops is set aside for communal grazing and forage production. Soil fertilty is ensured by returning the farmyard manure to the soil, green manuring, and fallowing. The land is protected by shrubs and trees planted as Live fencing, live terrace, and shade, The woody material from shrubs and trees is used for firewood and fencing. The stocking rate is maintained by retaining only the younger animals and selling off the others during periods of feed shortage. Fodder is generally produced in perennial systems such as companion cropping, alley cropping, intensive feed garden, fodder bank, live fencing, homestead garden, improved pasture, and multi-strata forage systems.