Ansah, Terry

Kadyampakeni, D.

Nurudeen, A.

Shedrack, C.

CGSpace

Comparative yield performance and fodder quality of Napier grass in Northern GhanaT. Ansah1, D. Kadyampakeni2, C. Shedrack1, A. Nurudeen31University of Development Studies (UDS)2International Water Management Institute (IWMI)3International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)Corresponding author email: d.kadyampakeni@cgiar.orgKey research activitieso Piloting fodder production for supplementary irrigationo Training farmers in fodder productiono Exploring  outscaling of potential for fodder irrigation in Northern GhanaImplications of the research for generating development outcomesResults and main findingso Promising Napier grass varieties tested in northern Ghana for animal and farmer preference.o Dry matter yields ranged between 1354 to 3339 kg/hao While all the cultivars showed some potential in terms of biomass yield, plant height and tiller number the Local cultivar and 16837 proved to be superior considering the climatic zone in which the study was conducted (Table 1; Figure 2).o The cultivation of the Local cultivar and 16837 is recommended among smallholder livestock farmers and forage sellers within the savanna zone. o The installation of small scale irrigation systems could help improve the biomass yield.There is need to introduce small-scale irrigation and rainwater harvesting structures for fodder production to improve animal and household nutrition. Photos (a) and (b): Farmers planting fodder (top) and one of the farmers harvesting fodder in northern Ghanao This work will continue through use of low-cost irrigation technologies  and water harvesting technologies for dual-purpose fodder production.o The irrigated forage production for seed will also be done in phase 2 of Africa RISING especially on dual-purpose fodder.How this work would continue in Africa RISING phase 2The Africa Research In Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation (Africa RISING) program comprises three research-for-development projects supported by the United States Agency for International Development as part of the U.S. government’s Feed the Future initiative. Through action research and development partnerships, Africa RISING will create opportunities for smallholder farm households to move out of hunger and poverty through sustainably intensified farming systems that improve food, nutrition, and income security, particularly for women and children, and conserve or enhance the natural resource base.The three projects are led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (in West Africa and East and Southern Africa) and the International Livestock Research Institute (in the Ethiopian Highlands). The International Food Policy Research Institute leads an associated project on monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment.www.africa-rising.net o CGIAR Centers: IITA, ILRIo Universities: UDSo Research Institutes: ARIo USAID Projects: ATTo Farmer Based OrganizationsCurrent partnerships and future engagements for out scalinga bParameters 16837 16798 16840 Local Sed P valueBiomass Yield (DM kg/ha) 2299.0 1354.0 1384.0 3339.0 1204.9 0.38Tiller Number 9.5 16.1 10.3 13.1 2.8 0.18Plant Height (m) 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.4 0.2 0.33Leaf : Stem (g) 1.0 0.9 1.2 1.1 0.2 0.82Table 1: Effects of four different cultivars of Napier grass on biomass yield, plant height, tiller number and leaf to stem ratio.P=0.947P=0.0983P=0.972P=0.973P=0.845P=0.755P=0.809P=0.746p=0.560 P=0.500P=0.33400.20.40.60.811.21.41.63 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13Plant height (M)Week16837 16798 16840 LocalFigure 2. Effect of four different cultivars Napier grass on plant height (m)Figure 1: Rainfall during the year 2015P=1.0 P=0.1P=1.0P=1.0P=0.9P=0.8P=0.8P=0.8p=0.6 P=0.5 P=0.300.20.40.60.811.21.41.63 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13Plant height (M)Week16837 16798 16840 LocalFigure 2:  Effect of four different cultivars Napier grass on plant height

Comparative yield performance and fodder quality of Napier grass in northern Ghana

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Comparative yield performance and fodder quality of Napier grass in northern Ghana

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