Natural – Live Fencing & its Cost
The species suitable for live fence should be thorny, inedible and non-browsable for cattle and goats, hardy and relatively maintenance-free (other than pruning / lopping), adaptable to the local conditions, fast-growing and producing something that can yield some revenue.
The primary purpose of live fences is to control the movement of animals and people; however, they have proven to be extremely diverse, low risk systems that provide farmers with numerous benefits. Besides their main function living fences can provide fuel wood, fodder and food, act as wind breaks or enrich the soil, depending on the species used.
A live fence should ideally be planted just before the monsoons and watered regularly after the rainy season is over to ensure optimum growth.
Usually thorny plants are grown to make a live fence. For example bushes such as agave and cactus, creepers, and small shrubs (perennial bushes) are the most sought after ones. Besides, trees such as subabul and Gliricidia can also be planted as live fence.
Usually thorny plants are grown to make a live fence. For example bushes such as agave and cactus, creepers, and small shrubs (perennial bushes) are the most sought after ones. Besides, trees such as subabul and Gliricidia can also be planted as live fence.
Often trees in living fences are allowed to grow to larger sizes than with hedges. A genus of particular importance as living fence is Gliricidia which can serve both as fences and as sources of fuel wood and fodder.
AGAVE -sisal(நீலக்கத்தாழை- Nīlakkattāḻai)
Among the under-exploited resources, ‘Agave’ – a fibre yielding drought tolerant plant is one which can prosper the life of the dry land farmers without any risk. Agave is a short stemmed plant bearing a rosette of long erect pointed fleshy leaves.
The sharp spines of the sisal leaves may make this type of hedge unsuitable for use with livestock.
Agave is noted for its strong, coarse fibre, superior too and more flexible than Manila hemp. It is widely used for making ropes, cordage, twine, fishing nets, door mats and rugs and the short fibres are used for making mops, brushes.
The sharp spines of the sisal leaves may make this type of hedge unsuitable for use with livestock.
Agave is noted for its strong, coarse fibre, superior too and more flexible than Manila hemp. It is widely used for making ropes, cordage, twine, fishing nets, door mats and rugs and the short fibres are used for making mops, brushes.
The waste material left after decorticating the leaves is used for making craft paper and paper boards. The fibres also contain about 73-78% of lignified form of cellulose.
Apart from these wax from agave wastes and Hecogenin acetate a steroid useful for the pharmaceutical industry in India is obtained from agave juice.
Apart from these wax from agave wastes and Hecogenin acetate a steroid useful for the pharmaceutical industry in India is obtained from agave juice.
In the border, a trench with a width of 30 cms may be dug and the soil excavated should be used to make raised bed at the inner side of trench. The agave saplings are planted at a space of 45 cms in pits of 20 cm3. Planting is usually carried out during the rainy seasons for better establishment otherwise initial watering is quite essential for establishment.
GLIRICIDIA SEPIUM(சீமை அகத்தி Seemai Agathi,Vivasaaya Thegarai)
Gliricidia sepium is a common live fence post species in Western Ghats and in other tropical areas. Large stem cuttings root with relative ease, and it has multiple uses such as a forage and green manure.
Establish a live fence by planting a few large (about 1 mtr tall) stakes on the border with spacing of 2 ft inside the row in combination with Agave.
These takes normally take root within a month or so. Allow the shoots to grow for 6 to 10 months before cutting them back. After the first pruning, prunings can be carried out every 4 to 8 months, or seasonally.
Larger prunings result in woody sprouts that are suitable for use as further stakes. In this way live stakes can be multiplied for use as living fence posts within a year or two after establishing the first live fence posts. The combination of Agave Sisal and Gliricidia is suggested as live fence. When established, these natural barriers can prevent the passage of livestock and deter both animal and human trespassers from entering the farm.
Establish a live fence by planting a few large (about 1 mtr tall) stakes on the border with spacing of 2 ft inside the row in combination with Agave.
These takes normally take root within a month or so. Allow the shoots to grow for 6 to 10 months before cutting them back. After the first pruning, prunings can be carried out every 4 to 8 months, or seasonally.
Larger prunings result in woody sprouts that are suitable for use as further stakes. In this way live stakes can be multiplied for use as living fence posts within a year or two after establishing the first live fence posts. The combination of Agave Sisal and Gliricidia is suggested as live fence. When established, these natural barriers can prevent the passage of livestock and deter both animal and human trespassers from entering the farm.
The cost of establishment of live fence is very minimal.
A 10 ft (3 mtrs.) long stretch will approximately cost around Rs.70 – 80.
A 10 ft (3 mtrs.) long stretch will approximately cost around Rs.70 – 80.
Thus a perimeter of 3000 ft. (10 Acres) would cost approximately around Rs. 25,000 as against several thousands with other alternatives.
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