**Abstract**

Forage cactus is a perennial crop, which has been widely exploited for feeding ruminants in the semiarid region of different countries around the world. The main objective of this chapter is to describe the use and importance of spineless cactus as forage, desertification mitigation, source of water for animals and a source of income for producers in semiarid regions. The main species explored in Brazil are *Opuntia* spp. and *Nopalea* spp., due to characteristics such as resistance to pests, productivity, water-use efficiency and demand for soil fertility. The productivity of the species in a region will depend on its morphological characteristics, plant spacing, planting systems and its capacity to adapt to climatic and soil conditions. In other parts of the world, cactus species are the most cosmopolitan and destructive among invasive plants. However, the use of spineless forage cactus in areas where it can develop normally and may become the basis for ruminants' feed would increase the support capacity production systems. Thus, specifically for Brazil's semiarid region these species can make the difference as forage for animal feeding, cultivated as monoculture or intercropped, for soil conservation and desertification mitigation, source of water for animals, preservation of the Caatinga biome and be a potential source of income for producers if cultivated as vegetable for nutritional properties and medicinal derivative of fruits and cladodes for exports.

**Keywords:** livestock, smallholder, sustainability, energy

### **1. Introduction**

Spineless Forage Cactus is no doubt a magic forage plant having potential to serve as a source of water bank and forage for animals under extreme environment, but it does not fall under the scope of book Grasses and grasslands: New perspectives. Due to its resistance to drought and high efficiency in the use of rainwater, the planting and use of Spineless Forage Cactus is neglected in semi-arid regions, which is a mistake. In these regions and suitable climatic conditions, it is an unbeatable crop in terms of productivity and quality as an energy food, which is why it has the power to be called the Queen of Forages in the Semiarid Region.

Scientific production around this forage crop dates back to the 1980s, with increasing interest in recent years, mainly in countries such as Mexico, Tunisia, the United States, Argentina, India and Brazil. Recently, it highlights scientific production related with crop productivity as a monoculture or intercropped, mineralization dynamics of differents sources of organic fertilizers, irrigation, its use as a food supplement or ingredient substitute and how ruminants supplement with spineless cactus can reduces drinking water ingestion.

This chapter is intended to describe a brief use and importance of spineless cactus as forage, desertification mitigation, source of water for animals and a source of income for producers in semiarid regions. As methodology, published papers on planting methods and cultural treatments were researched, aiming at the knowledge of those that allow greater productivity and also articles related to nutritional value that would allow its recommendation as the main alternative as a source of energy for ruminants in semiarid regions. Finally, simulations were carried out in order to demonstrate that the use of forage catus could help in environmental conservation. Papers are located from physical and virtual libraries.
