Unlocking the Power of Unused Lands: A Greener Way to Feed Livestock and Save the Planet
Introduction
Did you know that 90% of the Earth's land area could become degraded by 2050?
As for now, global cultivated cropland soils have lost 50-70% of their original stored carbon, making it harder and more expensive to grow our food (check out the reference). At the global level, most of the marginal or degraded land remains underutilized because of economic, environmental, or regulatory reasons. The thing is, these lands hold immense potential for silvopasture, an innovative combination of an agroforestry system that integrates trees, forage, and livestock. Silvopasture can transform unproductive land into healthier land as a solution that provides food, fiber, fuel, and ecosystem, especially regarding soil quality.
For example, in developing countries or tropical regions like Indonesia, ex-oil palm plantations, post-logging forests, and abandoned fields are particularly suited for this transformation. Instead of viewing idle land as a lost cause, farmers can reintroduce productivity through sustainable grazing that restores fertility, improves ecological function, and creates economic opportunity. As a result of marginalization, the decrease in the economic importance of farmland comes to the surface. We will talk about silvopasture and some technology that can help in the future.
Naturally Healing the Environment
Ever seen your livestock look a bit off? Slow to catch things, or even doesn't listen when you try to give attention, maybe they have something called lameness, hock, or unseen mastitis due to the closed-cage system. Well, livestock in this case, cattle, are much healthier in a free-roam or pasture-based system, which can reduce illness and even death among the cattle. Moreover, a couple of studies said that livestock maintained in a free-roaming system might have better production, whether it's in quantity or quality. Managing grazing systems is a triple win; they heal the once broken ecosystems, support biodiversity, and deliver long-term sustainability for the people and the farm.
One of the best techniques for silvopasture is rotational grazing and tree integration. With these techniques, farmers can enhance soil structure and organic matter while managing invasive species and excess biomass at one time, cheaply but productively. Research confirms that integrating silvopasture practices improves soil fertility and water-holding capacity, reduces erosion, and increases biodiversity. Regarding sustainability, livestock manure is a natural fertilizer that reduces dependence on synthetic inputs and closes nutrient cycles. We don't need to transport the cost of fertilizer, either.
In areas with risks of drought or wildfires, grazing systems help manage vegetation density and promote ground cover. Since they're mostly used daily, they're also easier to track. In any case, well-managed silvopastoral systems reduce the risk of wildfires by controlling understory biomass and increasing moisture retention in the soil.
Synergizing Trees and Livestock
Silvopasture is not just mixing trees and livestock; we must calculate the required harmony for a healthy ecosystem. According to a previous study, in tropical areas like Indonesia, particularly oil palm and rubber plantations, we can use shade-tolerant grasses like Brachiaria spp., Paspalum spp., Panicum spp., or a strong forage grass, legumes, or local feed that you can find in your areas, which might have ideal conditions for grazing without disturbing tree productivity. Based on previous studies, the optimum silvopasture can increase soil health and water quality, provide natural climate solutions and microclimate conditions, reduce heat stress, and enhance biodiversity in the area. In general, animals graze beneath the trees, recycle nutrients, and improve soil structure, creating a cycle of productivity that benefits both the environment and the farmer, over and over again.
We must know the suitable biodiversity in that area to create an optimal silvopasture. You can try to check this combination as found in the previous study:
- Southeast Asia shares a humid tropical climate with Florida and Alabama, making Gliricidia, Leucaena, and Albizia ideal tree choices, paired with Guinea grass, Napier grass, Desmodium, and Stylosanthes for forage. Goats, sheep, and cattle suit this setup well.
- East Africa's semi-arid zones are similar to those of Arkansas and Missouri. Here, drought-tolerant trees like Acacia, Sesbania, and Moringa work best, along with Buffel grass, Brachiaria, and Cenchrus for grazing. Goats and hardy local cattle thrive.
- Southern India and Sri Lanka resemble Georgia's warm, moist zones. Pongamia, Neem, and Albizia can be planted with Cowpea, Horsegram, Stylosanthes, and Lablab to support goats, buffalo, and cattle.
- Northern Australia reflects Alabama's dry subtropics. Suitable trees include Eucalyptus, Acacia aneura, Leucaena, Rhodes grass, Setaria, and Stylosanthes. Cattle and goats are well-suited to this environment.
Farmer's Economic Empowerment
Accessibility is one of the most empowering aspects of silvopasture. Establishing a grazing system on unused land is often more affordable for smallholder farmers than launching a new plantation site or industrial crop system. This will help a lot for the small farmers, where 50% are undernourished, and 20% of the landless families work as laborers in low and medium-income countries. With only a basic investment in fencing and water infrastructure, communities can begin producing meat, milk, and manure, which feed families and markets alike. Integrating silvopastoral systems provides diversified income sources for farmers, reduces vulnerability to climate problems, and creates employment opportunities in rural areas, which are barely touched by the young generation. This approach makes sense regarding environmental issues and the rural economy by strengthening it and supporting long-term resilience.
In some countries, farmers who understand the carbon-smart grazing system may qualify for incentives through carbon credit markets or climate-smart subsidies in some countries, turning environmental stewardship into economic gain. So, check out your country's regulations.
Building Rural Unity
In many rural cultures like Indonesia, livestock are more than just commodities, they're social capital and investment; some save their money and sell them when they need money. If small farmers are willing to form a community-based trainer or cooperative, we could revitalize rural economies, enhance social cohesion, and reduce rural–urban migration by creating jobs and training youth in sustainable practices. These systems can resolve land disputes, share grazing infrastructure, and offer collective bargaining power. As youth gain access to skill-building in livestock management, the agricultural sector becomes more attractive, reversing rural decline and securing food systems for future generations. Don't forget that we need more people who work in this industry.
Integration into Existing Systems
One major concern from farmers is the compatibility of livestock with existing plantations. Yet, with the right planning, silvopasture can complement rather than compete. Some palm tree farmers in Indonesia have implemented this system, and it works well with minimal maintenance. In other regions, like in Malang, Indonesia, post-harvest residues from crops such as maize, rice, or sugarcane can serve as supplementary livestock feed, reducing waste and improving nutrient cycling. You might know this better than I. Additionally, silvopasture reduces parasite loads and improves animal health by allowing for lower stocking densities and better nutrition. With local breeds adapted to tropical climates and simple tools like mobile fencing and solar waterers, farmers can scale these systems with minimal investment.
Smart Grazing for a Smart Future
Technology has entered the pasture. Farmers can now use the latest GPS for their cows, satellite imagery, and remote sensors to monitor grazing patterns, soil health, and vegetation recovery. Imagine if we could maximize the plant growth using a silvopastoral system, more organically and sustainably. New approaches to prevent overgrazing, improve rotation schedules, and ensure long-term sustainability are needed. Technologies such as remote sensing, mobile apps, and data analytics can enhance grazing efficiency and provide transparency for their intake and growth. Digital tools also enable farmers to document their climate impact, making them eligible for green supply chains, certifications, or environmental grants, connecting smallholders to markets in just one swoop.
Barriers and Solutions
Despite its many advantages, implementing silvopasture is not without hurdles. Key challenges include unclear land tenure, lack of infrastructure, limited technical knowledge, and a few disease risks likely to increase. These are preventable, but we need to join hands. In Indonesia, we have something called Hutan Kemasyarakatan, where farmers can use some part of the forest to improve productivity. In general, Governments and NGOs can step in with training programs, microloans, and land reform policies. Pilot projects and demonstration plots are essential to promote adoption and build farmer confidence in silvopastoral systems. Farmers can lead in regenerating landscapes and building livelihoods with proper support.
References
Arnott, G., Ferris, C. P., & O’connell, N. E. (2017). Review: welfare of dairy cows in continuously housed and pasture-based production systems. In Animal (Vol. 11, Issue 2, pp. 261–273). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731116001336
Blomme, G., Ntamwira, J., Kearsley, E., Bahati, L., Amini, D., Safari, N., & Ocimati, W. (2020). Sensitivity and Tolerance of Different Annual Crops to Different Levels of Banana Shade and Dry Season Weather. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.545926
Gebremedhin, M., Coyne, M. S., & Sistani, K. R. (2022). How Much Margin Is Left for Degrading Agricultural Soils? The Coming Soil Crises. Soil Systems, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems6010022
Pate, F. M., Alvarez, J., Phillips, J. D., & Eiland, B. R. (1984). Sugarcane as a Cattle Feed: Production and Utilization 1. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Poudel, S., Pent, G., & Fike, J. (2024). Silvopastures: Benefits, Past Efforts, Challenges, and Future Prospects in the United States. In Agronomy (Vol. 14, Issue 7). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14071369
Rendel, J., Mackay, A., Smale, P., Manderson, A., & Scobie, D. (2020). Optimisation of the resource of land-based livestock systems to advance sustainable agriculture: A farm-level analysis. Agriculture (Switzerland), 10(8), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10080331
Sekaran, U., Lai, L., Ussiri, D. A. N., Kumar, S., & Clay, S. (2021). Role of integrated crop-livestock systems in improving agriculture production and addressing food security – A review. In Journal of Agriculture and Food Research (Vol. 5). Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2021.100190
Song, H., Xin, L., Li, X., Wang, X., He, Y., & Song, W. (2022). Can Livestock Raising Alleviate Farmland Abandonment?—Evidence from China. Land, 11(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081142
Further reading
How grape pomace enhances cattle growth & sustainable impact
How Pellet Making Machines Are Revolutionizing Livestock Feed Production
Influence of Betaine Supplementation on Heat Stress in Livestock
GreenFeed System as a tool for measuring methane emissions from ruminants
Climate-Smart Solutions for Dairy Farmers: Overcoming Seasonal Feed Shortages
Novel Approaches to Feed Additive Delivery for Enteric Methane Reduction in Cattle
Tropical vs. temperate forages: Nutritional composition and fiber digestibility
What is Silvopasture and how can farmers apply and benefit from it
