Evolution of sedentary pastoralism in south India: case study of the Kangayam grassland

Abstract

Kangayam grassland in the tropical region of south India has been sustainably managed for over one hundred and fifty years. In a region with meagre rainfall, growing grass is the farmers' main vocation. Between 1855 and 1881, the majority of government 'wastelands' were given on lease to farmers who organized the land into grazing paddocks and fenced with hedges of Balasmodendron berryi. Numerous wells were dug in the grazing lands to provide water for drinking to animals and to some extent for irrigation. Between July and February, the animals are exclusively grazed by rotating between paddocks. The grazing lands are cultivated every 4 to 5 years and sorghum is sown and made into hay for animal feeding between March and June. In several places, the Cenchrus dominated grassland is also sown with legumes like Phaseolus trilobus to improve the quality of forage. Security of land tenure coupled with technological interventions has sustained the productive capacity of the grassland for over a century. The grassland also has a stable human population and healthy female to male ratio. It offers a model for replication elsewhere under similar low rainfall conditions.

Agroforestry as a Strategy for Livelihood Security in the Rainfed Areas: Experience and Expectations

“…Involving nitrogen fixing tree species, the system offers immense possibilities of supplementing the nitrogen requirements of crops grown in association, besides providing rich organic matter and improving the soil structure preventing land degradation. Most of the nitrogen fixing trees commonly planted include species of Acacia, Albizia, Hardwickia, Gliricidia, Leucaena, Pongamia, and Sesbania (Solanki and Ramnewaj 1999 Kumar et al 2011) At 5 years of tree age, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) yields were higher in lower tree density by 32-57 % in comparison to higher tree density. Tree population did not affect the dry matter production in both the groundnut and sorghum crops at 5 years of tree age.…”

“…5.4). Eight species of perennial grasses, 6 annual grasses, 9 legumes, and 16 forbs have been reported in this grazing land (Kumar et al 2011). Acacia leucophloea is the predominant tree species with occasional presence of Acacia nilotica, Acacia planiformis, Albizia amara, Azadirachta indica, and palmyra (Borassus flabellifer) trees.…”

“…5.5). Kumar et al 2011) Other common hedge species are Gliricidia sepium, Agave sisalana, Jatropha curcas, Jatropha gossypifolia, Lantana camara, Cactus spp, Opuntia spp, Prosopis juliflora, Balanites aegyptiaca, Pithecellobium dulce, Lawsonia inermis, Carissa carandas, and Parkinsonia aculeata. Regular pruning and canopy management is very important to check them from competing with the crops and also check the undesirable seed production, especially the weedy species.…”

Evolution of sedentary pastoralism in south India: case study of the Kangayam grassland

“…Therefore, the remaining 35,709 wells were dug by the farmers in the wastelands held on patta in the last one hundred year. Digging of new wells was also encouraged by the generous loans provided by the British rulers in the form of taccavi advances (Voelcker 1893). The new wells dug were primarily meant to water the animals that remained day in and out for months together between July and February in the grazing paddocks.…”

“…The new wells dug were primarily meant to water the animals that remained day in and out for months together between July and February in the grazing paddocks. Voelcker (1893) observed that anything which induces the people to invest money on the land gives them a permanent interest in the continuance of the English rule. DFID (2002) and Gill (1995) have also observed that security of tenure and ownership play an important role in the sustainability of land.…”