B. Mezhunts, A. Sargsyan, M. Sargsyan;                             Bulletin of National Agrarian University of Armenia. Yerevan,                             2016,                             4,                             pp. 16-20;                                                     
                    
                        
Abstract
With the current political status of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (Artsakh), it is clear that not all sectors of its economy have equal opportunities for further development. In this regard, the livestock breeding has a great advantage, given the presence of large local resources in the country. It is noteworthy to state that about 70% of total agricultural lands are represented by natural pastures and hayfields, serving the main feed source for ruminant animals, which according to preliminary estimates can ensure feedstuffs to much more number of cattle compared with the currently existing. The development of agriculture has an important role in ensuring the economic stability and food security of the population of Artsakh, that is why this sector recently has been proclaimed as one of the strategic directions of the country's economy. However, large areas of these grasslands, especially pastures located in close distance to villages, are in unfavorable conditions, one of the main causes of which is the irregular grazing management. It is known that the improper grazing has a negative effect not only on the biodiversity of pastures, but also on the nutritional value of forage plants, because in this case, first of all, high-quality species are suffering. To develop the proper grazing system and improvement techniques for pastures, it is necessary to collect the factual information on the productivity, botanical composition and quality of forages produced in these areas. This paper summarizes the results of studies on nutritive and energy values of feeds derived from natural pastures, have been carried out from 2013 in the frame of “Program of collaboration with Artsakh”.
                        
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