Kirui, Josephine

Kugonza, J.

Lukuyu, Ben A.

Lutakome, P.

Wabwire, R.

Lutakome, Pius

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1  Characterisation of the livestock production system and potential for enhancing productivity through improved feeding in Kijunjubwa, Masindi district of Uganda By: Jane Kugonza, Ronald Wabwire, Pius Lutakome, Ben Lukuyu and Josephine Kirui  East African Dairy Development Project (EADD)     The Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) is a systematic method to assess local feed resource availability and use. It helps in the design of intervention strategies aiming to optimize feed utilization and animal production. More information and the manual can be obtained at www.ilri.org/feast  FEAST is a tool in constant development and improvement. Feedback is welcome and should be directed feast@cgiar.org. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is not responsible for the quality and validity of results obtained using the FEAST methodology.   The Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) was used to characterize the livestock production system and in particular feed‐related aspects in Kijunjubwa dairy farmers association (DFBA) of Kijunjubwa, Masindi district, Uganda.  The assessment was carried out through structured group discussions and completion of short questionnaires by key farmers’ representatives. The following are the findings of the assessment and conclusions for further action. Farming system   Households in this area are composed of approximately 7 (range 6-11) members and utilise on average 35 acres of pastoral land per household.  Table 1 shows farmers perceptions about average land sizes for different categories of farmers. Category of farmer Range of land size % of households that fall into the category landless 0 0 Small farmer 1 to 8 30 Medium farmer 8.1 to 20 34 Large farmer 21 to 200 36    Figure 1: Average land sizes owned by different categories of farmers in Kijunjubwa, Maddu, Uganda. The production system is primarily pastoralist focused on livestock keeping with very few farmers growing food crops, mainly cassava (Manihot esculenta). Other crops are grown in 2  insignificant quantities while the most of the food is bought mainly for household consumption. It is also important to note that milk forms the major diet of the people in this area.  Rainfall patterns are becoming unpredictable and unreliable (Table 2). Crops are mainly grown for subsistence .   Table 2: Cropping season that occur in the area Name of season Jan Feb Mar April May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Long wet (Itumba)             Short wet  (Ekyanda)             Dry (Akanda)               Milk production is an important means of regular income generation with most farmers possessing the Ankole type of indigenous cattle. These are also sold for meat to provide substantial income when the need arises and to pay dowries.  Some farmers keep improved cross bred animals for increased milk production. Goats are also kept by some farmers for sale when funds are needed quickly. Due to the large size of land holdings and herds, labour is generally required to herd cattle especially in the dry season when herds migrate to look for pasture. Herding labour costs between 80000 – 100000 UGX (35-46 US$) per month in addition to provision of food and 2-3 litres of milk daily. Manual labour to open an acre of land is more costly at 40,000 – 50,000 UGX (17-22 US$). Factoring in daily provisions overall labour costs become very costly.  Figure 2: Crop varieties grown in Kijujubwa, Masindi, Uganda. 00.050.10.150.20.25Average area of crop grown per household  (hectares) Crops grown in the area  3  Major income sources The main contributor to income is milk sales (60%) (Figure 3). Milk is important because most households in this area own cattle.   Livestock sales contribute approximately 40% to household income.   Figure 3: Contribution (%) of livelihood activities to household income  Livestock production system Cattle are the most important livestock species in this system as they provide milk, meat and cash income to the households (Figure 4). Local indigenous breed are  most dominant type of cattle  in this area kept by approximately 80% of all households.  However, the area is experiencing a transitional period with many farmers attempting to improve milk production.  At present, approximately 30% of the farmers keep improved cattle. The average milk production per cow per day is 2 litres. The resultant milk is then sold to Kijunjubwa  Dairy cooperative  for an average of 300 UGX (0.16 US$) per litre throughout the year (range 300-450 UGX/litre (0.13-0.19 US$)).  MILK VENDING/SALES 60% CROP SALES 14% LIVESTOCK SALES 11% OFF FARM 15% 4    Figure 4: Average livestock holdings per household in Tropical Livestock Units (TLU) Management of livestock species   Both local and cross breeds are grazed throughout the day and confined in cattle kraals overnight. However improved cattle are often grazed on improved pastures while local cattle are allowed to search for pasture in the thickets of trees and shrubs. Cattle tend to move longer distances during the dry season than the wet season.   Private and government veterinarians are the most important animal health providers available to farmers in the area. Most farmers access animal health services through check off at the DFBA through the use of contracted Community Animal Health Providers (CAHPs). This is so because the services of both private and government health providers are costly to most farmers. Most farmers use their own local bull service since almost everyone has a bull. AI adoption is still a challenge in this area, due to the fact that this is a pastoral community where animals are grazed communally. At present cattle prices vary with season increasing during the wet season (800,000 – 1,000,000 UGS (345-435 US$) per head) and dropping drastically in the dry season (400,000 – 500,000 UGS (130-217 US$) per head) during the dry season.  Sheep and goat prices tend to remain the same throughout the year ranging 80,000 – 100,000 UGS (35-45 US$) per head. Major feed sources through the year Grazing on naturally occurring pastures contributes the largest proportion of the feed base on a dry matter (DM) basis in the area and consequently metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP). However, grazing drastically reduces during the dry season in January – 0123456789Local DairyCattleImproved DairycattleGoats Poultry - villageconditionsLocal Buffalo #N/AAverage livestock holding (TLU) Average livestock holdings per household  - dominant species (TLU) 5  February. Purchased feeds and crop residues are of little importance in this farming system. No purchased feed resources are utilized even for the improved breeds of cattle    Figure 1: Available feed sources utilised by farmers throughout the year. Problems, issues and opportunities The main issues faced by farmers are scarcity of water especially during the prolonged dry season and the bush encroachment particularly Lantana reducing the on grazing area. The expansive pastoral system does not have adequate water dams and these are located long distances from most households. The encroachment of bush on grazing pasture has drastically reduced biomass production in grazing lands leading to overgrazing. Termites are also a major problem of economic importance.  Lack of improved dairy breeds is also a clear constraint to the further development of milk production within the area. Artificial Insemination (AI) services will help disseminate improved genetics; however, the service is not reliable within the area and is costly to farmers.  Other animal health related issues include the prevalence of tick borne diseases. Potential interventions The combination of low grade animals, shrinking grazing lands and water scarcity put the farmers in this area in a difficult position in terms of increasing their milk productivity.  Improved biomass production from grazing is inevitable and can be facilitated through the use of natural pasture improvement.  Farmers also have the option to purchase and utilize crop residues and concentrates. Enhancing pasture quality through collective action is a 0123456020406080100Jan Feb March April May June Jul August Sep Oct Nov DecAvailability in diet (%)  Available feed resources Crop residues Legume residuesGreen forage GrazingConcentrates Rainfall pattern (score 0-10)6  promising option.  However, increased milk production will also be required to offset the increased cost of production. Therefore, it will be imperative that an integrated approach is taken and efforts are also made to upgrade existing cattle breeds through improved access to AI services.  Promotion of and Integrated Termite Management and water harvesting technologies will be required during the dry season. Key issues - Scarcity  of water especially during the prolonged dry season - Bushes and thickets especially Lantana leading to decreased grazing pastures - Lack of forage seed suppliers - Termites infestation in grazing areas. - Poor milk yields couple with low prices per litre - Expensive AI services and lack  improved dairy cattle breeds Ways forward 1. Conduct a feedback workshop with the DFBAS 2. Support the DFBAs to development implementation strategies such as:  - Introduce strategies for natural pasture improvement - Linkage with input suppliers for seed and feed. - Construct community  dams - Devise ways of importing crop residues and feed concentrates. - Improve AI services 3. Conduct participatory monitoring and document best practices. Conclusion This area being a predominantly a pastoral livestock production system, cattle are the most important livestock species and milk and livestock sales are the primary agricultural contributors to household income. Given the fact that farmers are willing to change the farming practices, there need to scale up the recommended interventions to boost milk productivity. The area experiences feed shortages especially during the prolonged dry season and this can be countered by commercial hay production taking advantage of the expensive land holdings. Hay market will not be limited to Kijunjubwa but to neighbouring DFBAs like Bulyasojo, Pakanyi and Kiryandongo.  Water solutions can be achieved through lobbying prioritisation through parish develops committees with funds from local government.    

Characterization of the livestock production system and potential for enhancing productivity through improved feeding in Kijunjubwa, Masindi district of Uganda

Characterisation of the livestock production system and potential for enhancing productivity through improved feeding in Mityana district of Uganda.  By: Jane Kugonza, Ronald Wabwire, Pius Lutakome, Ben Lukuyu and Josephine Kirui  East African Dairy Development Project (EADD)     The Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) is a systematic method to assess local feed resource availability and use. It helps in the design of intervention strategies aiming to optimize feed utilization and animal production. More information and the manual can be obtained at www.ilri.org/feast  FEAST is a tool in constant development and improvement. Feedback is welcome and should be directed feast@cgiar.org. The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is not responsible for the quality and validity of results obtained using the FEAST methodology.   The Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) was used to characterize the feed‐related aspects of the livestock production system in Mityana district of Uganda. The assessment was carried out through focused group discussions and completion of short questionnaires by three key farmer representatives owning small, medium and large scale farms1. The following are the findings of the assessment and conclusions for further action. Farming system The farming system is primarily a subsistence based, mixed crop/livestock system. Farm sizes in the area are around 5 acres (2 ha) on average with most of the land being used for cropping. A typical household size is 8 people who live permanently on farm on average per year. Households in the area commonly grow a variety of food crops including; coffee (Coffea Arabica), maize (Zea mays), beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), bananas (Musa acuminate), cassava (Manihot esculenta), and vegetables. Napier grass is the main basal forage but a number of farmers also grow fodder legumes especially Lablab purpureus and Mucuna pruriens as well as fodder trees and shrubs such as Calliandra calothyrsus.  Each household also raises a variety of livestock species including cattle, goats and pigs for various purposes. Cattle are kept mainly for milk, cash income from animal sales and manure.  On average most households have two or three milking cows. Indigenous chickens are kept by households to meet household meat, egg and cash needs. Improved cross breeds as pass-on gifts from Heifer are kept by more than 80% of households and are popular with farmers due to their high milk production                                                           1 The very small number of respondents for questionnaires means that the figures in this report are only indicative and should not be considered an accurate reflection of quantitative aspects of the farming system. However, they are adequate to give a crude overall impression for the purposes of guiding thinking about constraints and interventions. capabilities. Cross breeds comprise mainly of Friesian, Jersey breeds and the local Nganda cattle.  Nganda cattle are kept by about 20% of the households. Goats are also raised by 10-20% of the households for quick sale when funds are required. Labour is generally available all the time at approximately 70,000 Uganda shillings per month. This labour price package is considered very expensive. The high cost of labour is considered to be due to many rural people migrating to town to look for better paying jobs. Rainfall levels are generally adequate to support cropping activities; however, rainfall unreliability is increasingly becoming common (Table 1). Water is such a major constraint in the area especially during the dry season.     Table 1: Cropping seasons that occur in the area Name of season Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Long wet season              Short wet season             Dry season months                Major income sources Milk sales are the primary contributor to household income. An average of 52% of all household income comes from the sale of milk. Crops, mainly maize, beans, bananas, groundnuts and cassava make an important contribution of approximately 38% to household income.  The contribution from sales of indigenous birds and eggs is considered relatively minor at 10% collectively for some households (Figure 3). The contribution of these sales varies substantially throughout the year based on climatic conditions. Sale of animals generally occurs in an ad-hoc manner when funds are required quickly or undesirable animals such as bull calves and unproductive old cows need to be culled.   Figure 3: The primary contributors to household income in the area Crops 38% Milk sales 52% Eggs 10% Contribution (%) of livelihood activities to household income Livestock production system The livestock production system is focused on milk production. Improved dairy breeds, namely Friesians and a few Jerseys dominate livestock holdings as shown in Figure 4. Milk produced on the farm is sold to Mulika and Jessa traders at an average price of 600 Ugandan shilling (UGS), (0.2 USD; ranging from 500-800; 0.21-0.33 USD) per litre. The average milk production per cow per day in the area is 12 litres. The common feeding strategies in the area mainly include feeding chopped green fodder and /or crop residues especially maize stover, banana pseudostems and potato vines. Hay and silage is fed by 40% of farmers.  Veterinary services are easily accessed from the CAHPs employed on behalf of the DFBA. The price of veterinary treatments depends largely on the nature of the problem. For example east coast fever (ECF) vaccination costs UGS 60,000 (26 USD) which is considered expensive to most farmers. Farmers vaccinate animals against common diseases and this is supported by private health technicians and government animal health workers. Farmers individually buy acaricide and spray animals themselves to control ticks.   Figure 4: Average livestock holdings per household in Mityana in Tropical Livestock Units (TLUs)  Major feed sources through the year The diet is primarily composed of green forages, crop residues, legumes, silage and hay  and concentrates as shown in Figure 5. Cultivated fodder, crop residues, purchased feeds, naturally occurring and collected feeds, contribute the greatest proportion of the total ME (MJ/kg) and crude protein (CP; %) in the diet on farms (Figure 6). Concentrates and maize bran contribute 89% of the total purchased feed. Supplements such as maize bran and dairy meal can be purchased for 500 UGX (0.21 USD) per kg and 40,000 UGS shillings (17 USD) per 25 kg bag respectively. 00.511.522.5ImprovedDairy cattleGoats Local DairyCattleSheep Poultry -villageconditionsFatteninganddraughtcattleAverage livestock holding (TLU) Average livestock holdings per household  - dominant species (TLU)  Figure 5: The dietary composition of cattle in Mityana, Uganda throughout the year in relation to rainfall pattern.  Problems, issues and opportunities According to farmers, the main constraint to production in this area is animal diseases especially tickborn diseases escalated by the limited number of animal husbandry officers at sub county level. In addition, there is need for farmers to access seeds for establishing high yielding forages. Animal diseases especially tick borne diseases and lumpy skin disease, is the second most important problem in the area. Water scarcity is the third most important problem especially in the dry season. Farmers also consider fluctuation of milk prices in the dry and wet season as a major problem to sustainable incomes. Also listed as a major problem is the cost of concentrate feeds which is considered to be very high and significantly increase the cost of milk production. A summary of problems and farmer proposed solutions are shown the (Table 2). Although not mentioned as a key problem, some farmers engaged in pasture production find it hard to access market for the pasture.          0123456020406080100Jan Feb March April May June Jul August Sep Oct Nov DecAvailability in diet (%)  Available feed resources Crop residues Legume residuesGreen forage GrazingConcentrates Rainfall pattern (score 0-10)  Table 2: Problems, issues and proposed farmer solutions within the production systems Problem (in order of importance) Main problem Proposed farmer solutions 1 Animal diseases - Increase number of local drug shops - Increase number of service providers - Education on control of diseases and vaccinations 2 Unavailability of feeds especially during the dry season. Lack of market for produced forage seeds. - Pasture conservation practices such as silage making and hay making. - Link seed companies to farmers through DFBA - Enhance network between farmers so that those who have e.g. demo farmers share with others - Help farmers to start community seed production 4 Unavailability of water – especially in the dry season - Education on water harvesting technologies such as valley dams, underground water tanks etc. 5 Limited animal health services. Farmer consider the causes as: - Farmers reluctance to pay for services - Service providers are overloaded with many cases hence slow in responding to cases - They are occupied with other personal tasks such as business. - Service provider should separate personal and animal health roles - Service provider should specialise in technical roles such as A.I., clinical and animal husbandry services rather than mixing them.  Potential interventions  Farmers  consider that one of the options of countering insufficient forage onfarm is through increasing acreage and composition of cultivated fodder. Since most farmers have not committed large proportions of their holdings to fodder, there is still room for producing more fodder from available land. To mitigate the effects of lack of market for forage seeds, efforts will have to be made to link the groups producing pasture seed to seed companies through the DFBA to enhance/catalyse community forage ssed production.  Simple on-farm methods of silage production should be considered to mitigate the constraint of feed scarcity during the dry season. The use of polythene bags or small scale silage pits may be viable options.  Currently most of the purchased feeds are concentrates and feed ingredients. As a result attempts to make delivery chains effective and improve access of concentrates will enhance usage amongst farmers.   Key issues - Lack of market for the forage produced by some groups. - Water scarcity especially during the period of prolonged drought. - Limited animal health services providers.   - High incidences of animal diseases caused by unavailability and high cost of drugs and vaccines.  Ways forward 1. Conduct feedback workshop with DFBAs and relevant stakeholders 2. Support DFBAs to develop implementation strategies based on recommended interventions such as: - Initiate community forage production either through groups or interested people as a business it has not started. - Improve animal health service delivery amongst farmers. - Improve farmer training in disease control measures. - Enhance training on simple silage making techniques on farms. - Enhance efficient concentrate feed delivery chains to farmers and train them on optimum concentrate usage. 2. Review implementation progress and document lessons learned.  Conclusion Milk is makes the most important contribution to household income in this subsistence based mixed/crop livestock system. Farm sizes in the area are an average size of 5 acres (2 ha) most of which is used for cropping. Every household has at least 1-2 milking cows and 2-3 goats. The primary crops of importance are cassava, coffee, bananas, maize and beans. The main constraints to the further intensification and development of dairying in the area are a lack of feed especially in the dry season and high incidence of diseases. Napier grass is the main type of fodder. Most farmers keep improved cattle. Milk prices are generally unstable and vary throughout the year due to an oversupply in the wet season.     

Characterization of the livestock production system and potential for enhancing productivity through improved feeding in Mityana district of Uganda

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Characterization of the livestock production system and potential for enhancing productivity through improved feeding in Mityana district of Uganda

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