IMPACT OF MOTT GRASS ON LIVESTOCK NUTRITION, FARM ECONOMICS AND HOUSEHOLD RESILIENCE IN DISTRICT KHYBER, PAKISTAN

Livestock production in Pakistan is constrained by chronic fodder shortages, poor quality feed resources and rising feeding costs, especially in smallholder mixed farming systems. To address these challenges, a community-based intervention introducing Mott grass (Napier hybrid) was implemented in District Khyber, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of Mott grass cultivation on fodder availability, livestock productivity, economic returns and household resilience. A quantitative method was adopted involving structured questionnaires and field observations with 50 beneficiary households selected through Community Based Organizations. Results indicated a high establishment success rate, with 92% of farmers successfully cultivating Mott grass and 88% fully adopting it within their livestock systems. Post intervention findings showed a substantial improvement in fodder availability, with 86% of farmers reporting adequate supply compared to 22% before the intervention. Improvements were also observed in livestock performance, as 82% of farmers reported better body condition and 76% observed increased milk yield. Economic analysis revealed a significant reduction in feeding costs, with 68% of farmers reporting decreased expenditures and 66% showing reduced dependency on purchased feed. Furthermore, 78% of respondents reported improved farm profitability. Farmer perceptions were overwhelmingly positive, with 72% expressing high satisfaction and 92% recommending future scale up of the intervention. Moreover, 84% of households reported improved resilience during fodder scarce periods. The study demonstrates that Mott grass is a highly effective perennial fodder option for improving livestock nutrition and reducing economic stress in smallholder systems. The findings conclude that integrating Mott grass into livestock production systems can significantly enhance fodder security, improve productivity and strengthen household resilience under resource limited and climate vulnerable conditions in Pakistan.