Introduction of spineless cactus accessions and their dissemination across diverse agro-climatic conditions in India

Livestock-based farming system makes significant contribution to the livelihood of farmers in arid and semi-arid areas of India. However, India has a deficit of about 35% green fodder which is more acute during summer months (April-July). The arid zones are less suitable for crop production due to inherent soil constraints like low water retention, sandy texture, shallow depth, occurrence of rocks and stones. However, certain fodder species such as spineless cactus can grow well in non-productive lands and help in augmenting forage production in India. In this context, the performance of 67 cactus accessions was evaluated at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Bhuj; ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Janshi; and at ICARDA-Food Legume Research Platform, Amlaha representing diverse agro-climatic conditions. Of them, 15 accessions, namely, Yellow San Cono, White Rocca Palumba, Seedless Rocca Palumba, Trunzana Red Bronte, Morado, Roly Poly, Algerian, Yellow Santa Margherita Belice, Palma redonda, IPA-90-18, IPA-90-18, Additional-1258, Mexican Folder-1278, Jalpa and Mexico unknown showed excellent adaptation with respect to early anchoring, number of cladode formation and faster growth. These accessions were considered to establish baby nurseries at 31Agriculture Science Centers in 4 states, and 20 Foundation nurseries in the state of Odisha. Altogether, more than 320,000 cladodes were made available to establish these nurseries and community plantations, and also provided to farmers who are enthusiastic to grow cactus for fodder purpose. It is envisaged that spineless cactus can contribute to address fodder deficit in India. The success of this initiative is due to the will of the Indian national and provincial governments as well as due to the vigorous awareness campaigns to change farmer’s, universities’, researchers’ and department perception about cactus, and reach the level that demand for planting material is higher than available cladodes in the country.