Nutritional Characterisation of Introduced Improved \u3ci\u3eBrachiaria\u3c/i\u3e Grasses in Rwanda

A study aimed at characterising nutritive value of introduced Brachiaria grasses in Rwanda was conducted. Four Brachiaria grasses including, Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk, Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG4, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata and Brachiaria cv. Cayman with Panicum coloratum as control were planted in two contrasting environments of low rainfall in Kirehe district and acidic soils in Nyamagabe district. The experiment was set in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications and the treatments were harvested after 60 days and 90 days. Data collected were dry matter (DM), crude proteins (CP), organic matter (OM), cellulose, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and ash content. Also, in vitro gas production was used to estimate metabolisable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and kinetic parameters. The results showed that the DM, CP, NDF, ADF, OM, Cellulose and ash were significant difference (P\u3c 0.05) among improved Brachiaria grasses and increased from 60 to 90 days of harvest except CP which declined with harvesting time. There was significant difference (P\u3e 0.05) among Brachiaria grasses for ME and OMD. Quickly degradable fraction (A) and slowly degradable fraction (B) did differ significantly (P\u3e 0.05) but rate of degradation (C) varied among species and with harvesting time. Time required producing half of the gas volume (T1/2) declined as grasses matured. All improved Brachiaria grasses had better nutritional attributes than Panicum coloratum. Grasses planted in the low rain-fall had high nutritive values compared to those planted in acid soil prone areas of Rwanda. Nevertheless, the results suggested that improved Brachiaria grass could be an alternative forage for dairy farmers in both contrasting environments

Factors Influencing Current and Future Prospects for Intensive Dairy Production in Rwanda

Intensive mixed crop-dairy systems dominate smallholder agriculture in Rwanda. However, factors that influence the intensification and crop-dairy integration in Rwanda have not been examined. The objective of this study was to determine factors that are influencing the current and future prospects for intensification and mixed crop-dairy production systems in Rwanda

Agronomic and Nutritional Characteristics of Selected \u3cem\u3eBrachiaria\u3c/em\u3e Hybrids and Varieties Harvested at Three Stages of Growth

Shortage of quality feed is a persistent livestock productivity constraint and it is accentuated by climate variability and increased unpredictability of precipitation in many areas in Sub-Saharan Africa. Improved Brachiaria genotypes are some of the interventions that can improve feed security and contribute to the global climate change mitigation efforts

Status of Animal Feed Resources in Rwanda

Animal feed resources remain a major constraint for livestock development in tropical Africa. In Rwanda, grazing lands are shrinking sharply because crop cultivation is progressively encroaching on grazing areas with increasing human pressure (Mutimura and Everson 2011). Therefore, over 60% of households cultivating less than 0.7 ha, and owning livestock, practise zero-grazing, where farmers cut-and-carry forage and crop residues to feed animals that are kept exclusively under sheds (MINAGRI 2009). In general, the main feed for dairy cattle under a zero-grazing system is Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum). For more than a decade, efforts to improve the feed resource base and feeding management have been based on the introduction, characterisation and evaluation of exotic forage species, including grasses and legumes. The main aim of this study was to identify and document the status of improved forages as animal feed resources and for use in environmental protection in Rwanda

Knowledge about modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases adults living with HIV in Rwanda

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCD) are of international public health concern. Of more concern are people living with HIV (PLHIV), who have the increased risk of developing NCDs, such as hypertension, stroke and diabetes. Research has revealed that there is a relationship between knowledge of NCD risk factors and risk perceptions in the general population. Therefore, an assessment of PLHIV\u2019s NCD risk factors knowledge is quite critical, to design effective NCD prevention programmes. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge of modifiable risk factors for NCDs and its associated factors among adults living with HIV in Rwanda. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative design was used to collect the data. The study targeted PLHIV who visited the out-patients\u2019 public health centres in three purposively selected provinces of Rwanda. The knowledge assessment questionnaire relating to risk factors for chronic diseases of lifestyle was used to collect the data. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23. Results: Of the 794 respondents, 64.6% were women, and the mean age was 37.9 (\ub110.8) years. The results revealed that the majority of the respondents (65.0%) had low levels of knowledge about NCD risk factors, while some (35.6%) were of the opinion that they had a low risk of contracting NCDs. Good knowledge was significantly associated with high educational status, a low CD4+ cell count (< 350 cells/mm3) and normotension. Conclusion: The current study findings highlight the need for comprehensive health education, to raise awareness of non-communicable diseases\u2019 risk factors for adults living with HIV in Rwanda

Homecoming of Brachiaria: Improved hybrids prove useful for African animal agriculture

Species of the genus Brachiaria originate primarily from Africa, where they are constituents of natural grasslands. Due to their adaptation to acidic, low-fertility soils, millions of hectares of Brachiaria species have been sown as improved pastures in South and Central America, especially B. brizantha cv. Marandu and B. decumbens cv. Basilisk. Due to B. decumbens' susceptibility to spittlebug insect pests in the Americas, CIAT in Colombia and EMBRAPA in Brazil initiated breeding programmes in the 1980s. First cultivars released from CIAT's breeding programme – cvs. Mulato and Mulato-II – have also been investigated in African countries. They have been examined for integration in conservation agriculture systems (Madagascar), for drought and acidic soil tolerance (Rwanda) and for intercropping forages in dairy systems (Uganda, Madagascar), among others. Seed sales to African countries suggest that an area of at least 1,000 ha has been sown so far. The largest adoption of cv. Mulato-II is currently happening in eastern Africa, where it is used by over 20,000 farmers as a trap plant in the push-pull system for control of maize stem borers and parasitic Striga weed. Cv. Mulato-II's particular advantage is its relatively high crude protein content due to greater leafiness and thinner stems than those of traditional Napier grass, resulting in higher nutritive quality. Yet new pest challenges have emerged, requiring further research attention. Diverse hybrids are in the pipeline for release, among them those that are suitable for cut-and-carry systems which are prevalent in eastern Africa. This paper reviews research, development and incipient adoption of new Brachiaria hybrids in African countries. (Résumé d'auteur