Irrigated Improved forages for smallholder dairy in Kilosa, Mvomero and Babati Districts, Tanzania

Irish Ai

Forage Options for Tanzania Southern Highlands: Preliminary Assessment

In adequate quality and quantity, forages curtail animal production in sub-Saharan Africa. As such, the potential of livestock agriculture to contribute to household nutrition and incomes is usually compromised, against an increasing consumption of animal source foods. The growing consumption deserve forage interventions that can address the feeding gap, and contribute to improved livestock production, and subsequently livestock keepers’ prosperity. Using “Targeting Tools”, a web GIS system, we mapped the suitability of a wide array of grass and forage legumes for southern highlands. Using the maps, we selected context-specific varieties and procured available seeds/planting materials for pilot trials. Following farmers’ participatory approach, we established forage trials in three districts namely, Mufindi, Njombe and Rugwe of southern Tanzania highlands comprising of fourteen forage treatments. The test forages included; two Cenchrus purpureus (Syn. Pennisetum purpureum) cultivars, two Urochloa (Syn. Brachiaria) hybrids and Chloris gayana. Where applicable, we intercropped the grasses with three forage legumes- Lablab purpureus, Stylosanthes guianensis, and Desmodium intortum, while Tripsacum andersonii (Syn. Tripsacum laxum), a grass, was planted as a local check. We observed clear differences amongst the three districts and treatments. Dry matter accumulation (t ha−1) in the districts, and across the various forage treatments was in the order Rugwe>Mufindi>Njombe, even when accumulation kg DM day−1 was considered, in the early harvests. Most DM accumulation was by Napier grass intercropped with Lablab purpureus that was closely comparable to Chloris gayana-Desmodium intercrop. Further observations across more cuttings, farmer’ preference rankings and quality analysis are under way to inform reliable conclusions. The results would be applicable elsewhere with similar agricultural context and ecologies

Livestock Feeds Assessment in Southern Highlands in Tanzania

Importance of livestock in smallholder farms in Africa continue to be significant in households’ nutrition, incomes and for socio-cultural reasons. However, the sector faces various challenges including management, diseases and feeding among others. With the estimated doubling of demand for animal source foods especially in sub-Saharan Africa, due to rise in human population, efforts for improving livestock productivity are needed. Amongst the costs involved in cattle production, the feeding component takes 70% suggesting greater attention is required in feeding interventions for success to be realised. In an effort to contribute to improvement of livestock production in Southern Tanzania highlands, current feeding status was assessed in 3 districts (Mufindi, Njombe, Rugwe) following Feeds Assessment Tool protocol (FEAST https://www.ilri.org/feast). Information captured entailed; land size categories, livestock species reared, feed resources and seasonality, contribution of livestock to household incomes and most suited interventions were elucidated. In the three districts, dairy remains most prevalent amongst livestock species kept, and livestock in general is important for household incomes. Analysis suggest interventions on feeds and forages addressing protein and energy supply would be crucial, including forages suitable under cut and carry context, prevalent under smallholder farmers settings. Dry seasons are Characterized by inadequate feed resources. The information will guide selection of forage options to be tested through farmer participation, under Climate Smart Dairy Project (2019-2021) in the three districts. Identified farmer acceptable and productive forages will be recommended for the areas other similar ecologies, and by extension support forage development in Tanzania

The role of fodder markets in meeting the year‐round forage requirements of smallholder dairy farmers in Tanzania

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbei

Fodder market opportunities for smallholder dairying in Tanzania

Irish Ai

Farmers’ Perceptions on Different Forage Types in Southern Highlands of Tanzania

Feed and forages take the bulk of inputs required in livestock production. Inadequate forages in quality and quantity in sub-Saharan Africa is responsible for low livestock productivity. Addressing livestock feed requirements presents quick wins in livestock productivity compared to breeding and health. In a Climate Smart Dairy project implemented in Tanzania, we demontrated several forage options to farmers including, two cultivars of Pennisetum purpureum, two Urochloa hybrids, Chrloris gayana and Tripsacum andersonii (control). Where applicable, the grasses were intercropped with either one of the following forage legume, Desmodium intortum, Lablab purpureus or Stylosanthes guiyanensis. Fourteen forage treaments were obtained in the end, replicated thrice in each of three sites. Locations were Kichiwa ward in Njombe district, Igowole ward in Mufindi district and Lufingo ward in Rungwe district of southern highlands in Tanzania. In each ward, farmers were guided in generating and scoring criteria of importance to them, which later they subjected to the treatments in respective sites. On plot by plot basis, individual farmers, scored (1–9) treatments against the criteria. We pooled the scores together to generate weighted scores. The higher the weigheted score, the higher the preference. Clear differences emerged across the sites. In the three sites, all treatments scored higher than the control. High farmers’ preference suggests the forages stand good chances of adoption, when the seeds/planting materials are available. The results would be valuable to frontline livestock extension agents in the areas and other similar agricultural context

Overview of feed resources condition and feeding practices among the smallholder dairy farmers in Tanzania

This research article was published by RUFORUM Working Document Series in 2016In Tanzania, most smallholder dairy farmers rely on on-farm resources for feeding their livestock. These on-farm feed resources include grasses, legumes, crop residues, cereals and oilseed byproducts. These feed resources, in particular pasture and crop residues, do often fluctuate seasonally both in terms of quantity and quality. For example, pasture tends to be plenty in wet seasons but becomes very scarce in dry seasons. This fluctuation results in a reduction of over 40% in milk yield during the dry season. Despite a number of research and development interventions for curbing the problems of dry season fodder scarcity, the culture of forage production and preservation in terms of hay or silage, leaf-meal or feed blocks as a dry season feeding strategy is still limited among the Tanzanian smallholder dairy farmers. This study aimed at getting an overview of feed resources and dairy cattle feeding resources in two districts of Tanzania. It is hoped that information generated would inform development of future innovative solutions for curbing the identified challenges. A reconnaissance survey was conducted in eight villages in Tanga region including six in Lushoto and two in Korogwe district. The survey revealed that feed resources are plenty in the wet season (December to July) but very scarce in dry season (August to November) in both two districts. The findings suggest that poor feeding strategies and inadequate knowledge on dairy nutrition exists among the smallholder dairy farmers. Therefore, promoting on-farm research and development interventions in the areas of feeding strategies, fodder production and conservation are of paramount importance if sustainable dairy production is to be achieved in the study sites

Benefit of feeding Urochloa hybrid cultivar ‘Cobra’ on milk production in Tanzania

Animal genetics, management, diseases, feeds and environment affect milk production in cattle. Feed is the most important and when addressed, cattle show immediate responses. In sub-Saharan Africa, livestock productivity is low largely due to use of low-quality crop residues and natural pastures, often poor in key nutrients for animal performance. In an 8-week on-farm feeding trial with farmers’ participation, milk production under farmers’ practice (FP) was compared with the use of improved Urochloa hybrid cultivar ‘Cobra’ hay (Cobra hay) as an intervention (IN). A crossover design with each cow undergoing FP and IN phases was used. For the initial 2 weeks, the experiment followed FP before shifting to 50-50 FP/IN in week 3 and 100% IN in week 4 and 5, followed by 50-50 FP/IN in week six and 100% FP in week 7 and 8. Milk production increased by 15 % under IN and was associated with better feed utilization efficiency of 2 kg DMCobra hay/L of milk. The use of Cobra hay has potential to increase dairy productivity in Tanzania and other similar tropical ecologies and contexts in sub-Saharan Afric