Sub Saharan Africa is prone to long droughts and is faced with achallenge of feed scarcity during these periods. Therefore, there is a need forlow cost forage conservation techniques, especially for silage and hay makingso as to address the issue of feed scarcity especially in the dry season. Theidea is to ensure all-year-round feed availability.

The primary targets for this technology are the smallholder dairy producers. Participatory testing among farmer groups facilitated sharing ofinformation, knowledge and skills and was instrumental in protecting andempowering marginalized members. This technology is now in the up-take pathwayand has been validated in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Farmers and otherstakeholders have been trained in forage production, conservation andutilization. It’s expected that this will enhance adoption and utilization ofthe technology in the intervention countries.

The primary targets for this technology are the smallholder dairyproducers. Participatory testing among farmer groups facilitated sharing ofinformation, knowledge and skills and was instrumental in protecting andempowering marginalized members. This technology is now in the up-take pathwayand has been validated in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Farmers and otherstakeholders have been trained in forage production, conservation andutilization. It’s expected that this will enhance adoption and utilization ofthe technology in the intervention countries.

This low-cost, forage conservation option helps to ensureyear-round feed availability. The technology is convenient as it involves useof locally available resources such as grain stovers, hay and silage for dryseason feeding. The technology has potential to improve livestock productionand livelihoods in dryland areas, since these areas are most vulnerable tofodder shortage during dry season.

Use of dry feeding or feed conservation technologies (hay andsilage making) is economically viable as it is associated with positiveeconomic returns from feeding silage and hay. This suggests that it isprofitable for dairy farmers to invest in dry season feeding. Thus, farmersshould be encouraged to adopt silage and hay making technologies. For bothsilage and hay production, labour costs contribute the highest proportion oftotal production costs.  Despite the highlabor costs, the cost-benefit analysis shows positive benefit-cost ratios forboth silage and hay implying that production and feeding of any of the twofeeds is still viable. The labor high costs are usually compensated by anincrease in milk prices during the dry season.

The technology is gender-neutral and isintended to benefit all members of the community, including vulnerable andmarginalized groups. The technology particularly addresses the context andsituation of women farmers, who constitute a majority of small-scale dairyfarmers. Over 100 farmers (80% women) received training in using cerealstovers, hay and silage as resources for dry season feeding.

Jolly Kabirizi;

Lead Scientist, National Livestock Research Resources Institute(NaLIRRI);

P. O. Box 96;

Tororo, Uganda.

Tel: +256 45448360

Mob: +256-777912716

Email: jmkabirizi@gmail.com

Donald Njarui;

Scientist, Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization-Katumani;

P. O. Box 340-90100;

Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel: +254-44-20495; +254-20-4183720

Fax: +254-44-21122

Mob: +254-726345712

Email: donaldnjarui@yahoo.com

Suleiman Kaganda;

Scientist; National Livestock Research Institute (NLRI)-Mabuki;

P. O. Box 352;

Mwanza, Tanzania.

Tel: +255-754469354; +255-784936202

Mob: +255-282501079

Email: skaganda2001@yahoo.co.uk

Jean Nizigama;

Scientist, Mahwa Research Station;

P. O. Box 149;

Bujumbura, Burundi.

Tel: +257-79958038; +257-22-227602

Email: nizijean1@yahoo.fr 

Jean Ndikumana;

Programme Manager, Livestock and Fisheries Programme, ASARECA;

P. O. Box 756;

Entebbe, Uganda.

Tel: +256-414-321885

Mob: +256-772798627

Email: j.ndikumana@asareca.org

Sarah Mubiru;

Programme Assistant, Livestock and Fisheries Programme, ASARECA

P. O. Box 756;

Entebbe, Uganda.

Tel +256-414-321885

Mob: +256-772418678

Email: sarah2mubiru@yahoo.com

Lessons learnt indicate that participatory testing of technologiesis critical for adoption of innovations and leads to improved food and feedsecurity as well as household income. Another lesson is that farmer groups areimportant in facilitating sharing of information, knowledge and skills andsubsequently protecting and empowering marginalized members.

Kabirizi, J.M, Njarui, D.M.G., Itabari, J.K., Kaganda, S.,Nakiganda, A., Nanyennya, W.N.and Nizigama, J. 2012. Enhancing smallholderdairy production through participatory evaluation of forages, soil fertilityand water harvesting innovations in ECA region (In press). 

Kabirizi, J.M. 2006. Effect of integrating forage legumes insmallholder dairy production systems on feed availability and animalperformance. PhD Thesis. Makerere University.

Kabirizi, J.M., Njarui D.M.G., Nakiganda, A., Kaganda, S.,Nizigama, J. and Itabari, J.K. 2010. Crop-livestock integration for sustainablemanagement of natural resources and building livestock resilience in ECA regionbaseline survey report.