Perceptions of Farmers about the Potential Adoption of Spineless Cactus in Livestock Feed, India

Abstract

Livestock production in arid and semi-arid regions is facing the challenges of low and erratic rainfall, poor nutrient soils, and high temperatures, which all contribute to inadequate forage production to support livestock. Under these challenging conditions, promoting forage species, such as cacti, that are tolerant and well adapted, is important to sustain and improve livestock production. This study analyzes the potential of adopting a spineless cactus through analysis of smallholder farmers’ perceptions with respect to its potential use as a livestock feed in South Asia. A total of 273 households were stratified into three groups in 2017: farmers not familiar with cactus (non-adopters), farmers familiar with cactus but not growing it (potential adopters), and those already growing it (actual adopters). Each respondent household head or representative was interviewed face-to-face using the pre-tested questionnaire, which had both closed- and open-ended questions. The responses were supplemented by information obtained through key informants’ interviews and field visits. The response rate was almost 100% during the face-to-face interview, due to the respondents’ interest to know and discuss more both the spiny and spineless cactus planting, as well as its benefits for their household wellbeing. A qualitative method enabled the data to be collected in an unbiased manner, avoiding the inception of ideas through confronting farmers’ responses with predefined opinions. Bias was also avoided by bringing in already pre-formulated suggestions about the use and utilization of cactus in farming strategies.