Agroforestry for sustainable forage and livestock production in a small-holding farming system

Abstract

Shortages of fodder for livestock are serious constraints to their productivity. The potential of integrating multipurpose leguminous trees into crop and livestock systems was investigated at farm level. The study evaluated the potential to provide high quality fodder for improving livestock production, enhancing soil fertility and generating income in an agroforestry system. Promising results were obtained: production of 7.1 and 0.52 t/ha/yr fresh leaves and protein, respectively. Supplementation with these leaves improved by 61% the milk yield of cows, and by 49 and 68% the growth of calves and goats, respectively. Additionally, the potential of these trees to provide 34% of much needed fuel wood, improvement of 36% OM and 40% N in soils, and income by 43% was demonstrated. It is likely that fodder trees will play a major role in meeting the feed demands for livestock, maintenance of soil fertility and agro-ecology by sustainable land use to make the small-holding system more relevant and effective.