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The purpose of the survey was to document the current status of fodder production, conservation and marketing in the arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) Divisions of Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The survey covered specifically Nkondi, Igambang’ombe and Tharaka Central divisions. A sample of 74 livestock farmers selected through stratified random samplin...
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... Notably, in developing countries like Kenya forests provide feed for livestock in the form of fodder for stall-feeding and grazing in the forest areas, however extraction of fodder resources from forests often leads to forest degradation (Pandey et al., 2014). In their study, Musalia et al. (2016) found that most animal feeds came from crop residues such as millet straw, maize stalk, pigeon peas, beans, and sorghum. The most popular fodder species utilized by dairy producers in a zero grazing system in Kenya are Napier grass (33%) Rhodes grass (21%), maize (17%), and lucerne (8%). ...
The global feed production has increased in the past few years. Despite the growing trend, the current production does not meet the demand in Kenya. The government of Kenya has initiated several efforts towards promoting fodder production to increase milk production and household income. This study analysed the effects of fodder production on household income in Homa Bay County, Kenya using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique. The study used primary data collected through structured questionnaires in Homabay County, Kenya from a sample size of 300 smallholder farmers. Results indicated that years of schooling, herd size, household size, labour used in land preparation, and land size under fodder had a positive influence on the probability of farmers to mainly feed their livestock on Napier grass. On the contrary, the number of extension contacts negatively influenced the probability of farmers feeding their livestock on Napier grass. Results show that there was a significant difference between the incomes of farmers who fed their cattle on Napier grass and those who mainly grazed their cattle on natural grass. Specifically, smallholder farmers who fed their livestock on Napier grass reported a Kshs. 3,916.67 (USD 25.71) higher income than their counterparts who grazed their livestock on natural grass reflecting an increase by 24.94%. Thus, the ABOUT THE AUTHORS
... Notably, in developing countries like Kenya forests provide feed for livestock in the form of fodder for stall-feeding and grazing in the forest areas, however extraction of fodder resources from forests often leads to forest degradation (Pandey et al., 2014). In their study, Musalia et al. (2016) found that most animal feeds came from crop residues such as millet straw, maize stalk, pigeon peas, beans, and sorghum. The most popular fodder species utilized by dairy producers in a zero grazing system in Kenya are Napier grass (33%) Rhodes grass (21%), maize (17%), and lucerne (8%). ...
The global feed production has increased in the past few years. Despite the growing trend, the current production does not meet the demand in Kenya. The government of Kenya has initiated several efforts towards promoting fodder production to increase milk production and household income. This study analysed the effects of fodder production on household income in Homa Bay County, Kenya using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique. The study used primary data collected through structured questionnaires in Homabay County, Kenya from a sample size of 300 smallholder farmers. Results indicated that years of schooling, herd size, household size, labour used in land preparation, and land size under fodder had a positive influence on the probability of farmers to mainly feed their livestock on Napier grass. On the contrary, the number of extension contacts negatively influenced the probability of farmers feeding their livestock on Napier grass. Results show that there was a significant difference between the incomes of farmers who fed their cattle on Napier grass and those who mainly grazed their cattle on natural grass. Specifically, smallholder farmers who fed their livestock on Napier grass reported a Kshs. 3,916.67 (USD 25.71) higher income than their counterparts who grazed their livestock on natural grass reflecting an increase by 24.94%. Thus, the study recommends the need for both the national and county governments to
incorporate fodder production as a key area for livestock development agenda in
their policy plans to improve the farmers’ income.
... Notably, in developing countries like Kenya forests provide feed for livestock in the form of fodder for stall-feeding and grazing in the forest areas, however extraction of fodder resources from forests often leads to forest degradation (Pandey et al., 2014). In their study, Musalia et al. (2016) found that most animal feeds came from crop residues such as millet straw, maize stalk, pigeon peas, beans, and sorghum. The most popular fodder species utilized by dairy producers in a zero grazing system in Kenya are Napier grass (33%) Rhodes grass (21%), maize (17%), and lucerne (8%). ...
The global feed production has increased in the past few years. Despite the growing trend, the current production does not meet the demand in Kenya. The government of Kenya has initiated several efforts towards promoting fodder production to increase milk production and household income. This study analysed the effects of fodder production on household income in Homa Bay County, Kenya using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique. The study used primary data collected through structured questionnaires in Homabay County, Kenya from a sample size of 300 smallholder farmers. Results indicated that years of schooling, herd size, household size, labour used in land preparation, and land size under fodder had a positive influence on the probability of farmers to mainly feed their livestock on Napier grass. On the contrary, the number of extension contacts negatively influenced the probability of farmers feeding their livestock on Napier grass. Results show that there was a significant difference between the incomes of farmers who fed their cattle on Napier grass and those who mainly grazed their cattle on natural grass. Specifically, smallholder farmers who fed their livestock on Napier grass reported a Kshs. 3,916.67 (USD 25.71) higher income than their counterparts who grazed their livestock on natural grass reflecting an increase by 24.94%. Thus, the study recommends the need for both the national and county governments to incorporate fodder production as a key area for livestock development agenda in their policy plans to improve the farmers’ income.
... Notably, in developing countries like Kenya forests provide feed for livestock in the form of fodder for stall-feeding and grazing in the forest areas, however extraction of fodder resources from forests often leads to forest degradation (Pandey et al., 2014). In their study, Musalia et al. (2016) found that most animal feeds came from crop residues such as millet straw, maize stalk, pigeon peas, beans, and sorghum. The most popular fodder species utilized by dairy producers in a zero grazing system in Kenya are Napier grass (33%) Rhodes grass (21%), maize (17%), and lucerne (8%). ...
The global feed production has increased in the past few years. Despite the growing trend, the current production does not meet the demand in Kenya. The government of Kenya has initiated several efforts towards promoting fodder production to increase milk production and household income. This study analysed the effects of fodder production on household income in Homa Bay County, Kenya using the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique. The study used primary data collected through structured questionnaires in Homabay County, Kenya from a sample size of 300 smallholder farmers. Results indicated that years of schooling, herd size, household size, labour used in land preparation, and land size under fodder had a positive influence on the probability of farmers to mainly feed their livestock on Napier grass. On the contrary, the number of extension contacts negatively influenced the probability of farmers feeding their livestock on Napier grass. Results show that there was a significant difference between the incomes of farmers who fed their cattle on Napier grass and those who mainly grazed their cattle on natural grass. Specifically, smallholder farmers who fed their livestock on Napier grass reported a Kshs. 3,916.67 (USD 25.71) higher income than their counterparts who grazed their livestock on natural grass reflecting an increase by 24.94%. Thus, the study recommends the need for both the national and county governments to incorporate fodder production as a key area for livestock development agenda in their policy plans to improve the farmers’ income.
... Kenya is experiencing severe fodder shortages estimated to be 70 percent of the country's yearly fodder requirements of over 5.5 billion bales being met by imported fodder. The deficiency is due to insufficient fodder supply and conservation, as well as overgrazing, poor land management techniques and climate change effects [4]. Additionally, land subdivision as a result of the land inheritance rules, rapid growth in population and the government's resettlement strategy; have put a strain on animal feed resources in the county [4]. ...
... The deficiency is due to insufficient fodder supply and conservation, as well as overgrazing, poor land management techniques and climate change effects [4]. Additionally, land subdivision as a result of the land inheritance rules, rapid growth in population and the government's resettlement strategy; have put a strain on animal feed resources in the county [4]. Due to the developing demand for fodder by neighboring countries, the overall fodder demand is projected to increase. ...
... The world is faced with a shortage of fodder due to the evolving farming practices and increasing livestock numbers (Levi et al., 2016;Oduniyi et al., 2020). Consequently, this creates tremendous pressure on global fodder production in arid and semi-arid regions (Yadav et al., 2015;Levi et al., 2016). ...
... The world is faced with a shortage of fodder due to the evolving farming practices and increasing livestock numbers (Levi et al., 2016;Oduniyi et al., 2020). Consequently, this creates tremendous pressure on global fodder production in arid and semi-arid regions (Yadav et al., 2015;Levi et al., 2016). Cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) can be a valuable alternative for the challenges faced by rural agriculture and animal production. ...
The ongoing climate change, frequent and long-term droughts, and grazing land deterioration pose a threat to sustainable animal production systems in arid and semi- arid regions of South Africa. Under these adverse conditions, animal production is limited due to the scarcity of fodder. It is essential to investigate the use of a resilient, high water content crop such as cactus pear to mitigate the need for alternative fodder, especially for subsistence farmers. The potential of cactus pear as a fodder crop necessitates the investigation into the role of nitrogen fertilizer on the cladode yield of ‘Morado’ cactus pear. The response of ‘Morado’ to two nitrogen sources (urea and limestone ammonium nitrate) and four nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120, and 240 kg N ha-1 in 2017/2018 and 0, 180, 360 and 720 kg N ha-1 in 2018/2019) was investigated. A randomized complete block design with three replications was used, and each replication consisted of four data plants. Cladode number, fresh mass, and mineral content were measured during pruning. The nitrogen sources did not have a significant effect on most of the parameters measured. However, the cladode number and fresh mass were significantly increased by the two highest nitrogen levels applied in both seasons. The crude protein content of the cladodes was also significantly influenced. Overall, these findings suggest that the fertilization of cactus pear with nitrogen increases cladodes’ crude protein content, making the crop a staple fodder material in drought-stricken countries such as South Africa.
Keywords: cladode yield, crude protein, limestone ammonium nitrate (LAN), mineral content, urea
... Percentage sheep and goats losses due to drought. county, Tharaka Nithi (an ASAL county), where only 1% of the farmers grew forage on less than three acres of their land[7] (Figure 7).Regression analysis indicates a strong positive coefficient of correlation R = 0.93 between the livestock losses that pastoralists incur during droughts and their tendency to buy hay to sustain their animals. This correlation is particularly true if we refer toFigure 12, where the estimated livestock losses rose from 16,019,357 in 2015 to 29,967,052 in 2017. ...
