Improving livestock productivity: Assessment of feed resources and livestock management practices in Sudan-Savanna zones of West Africa
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Tunde Amole, Augustine Ayantunde. (15/2/2016). Improving livestock productivity: Assessment of feed resources and livestock management practices in Sudan-Savanna zones of West Africa. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 11(5), pp. 422-440.
Abstract
Evaluation of existing and potential feed resources was conducted in Orodora district in the Southern
region of Burkina Faso using Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST). The assessment was carried out through
focus group discussions and individual interviews in Mahon and Sayaga communities in Orodara
district. The study sites were characterized by mixed crop-livestock production systems. Seventypercent
of cropping activities were focused on fruit tree cultivation while food crop production
accounted for the rest. Livestock species (predominantly local breeds) in the area included cattle
sheep, goat, pig, poultry and donkey which are kept for different purposes. The main source of
household income is crop production while livestock production contributed 35 and 45% to the
household income in Mahon and Sayaga, respectively. In both study sites, natural grazing contributes
highest (49 and 64% respectively) to the dry matter (DM) content of the total diet. Cultivated fodder
contributed 1% of dry matter (DM), metabolizable energy and crude protein to the total diet of the
existing feed resource in Mahon, while farmers in Sayaga depended more on purchased feed than in
Mahon. Constraints to livestock production in the study sites included shortage of water in the dry
season, insufficient quantity and quality of feed in the late dry season of the year and high cost of
veterinary drugs and services. To mitigate these constraints farmers suggested an integrated approach
to improve livestock production through: construction of small reservoir to provide water for human
and animal consumption; training on the integration of forage legume into both tree and arable
cropping, and efficient utilization of available feed resources; establishment of a veterinary service and
drug centre in the village; better management of the existing water resources.
