A scoping review of feed interventions and livelihoods of small-scale livestock keepers

Abstract

Livestock support the livelihoods of one billion people in Africa, Asia and Latin America, but the productivity of animals remains low, reducing the potential of the sector to support higher incomes and better nutrition. Improved livestock feeding has been identified as the most important step towards higher productivity. This scoping review assessed the evidence for the uptake of improved ruminant livestock feed options, the effect of this uptake on livestock productivity and the degree to which this improves smallholder farmer livelihoods. In total, 22,981 papers were identified, of which 73 papers were included in the final analysis after a rigorous double-blind screening review. Only papers that reported farmers’ decision to use a new feed intervention were selected, thereby excluding feeding trials and participatory feed assessments. Of the 73 papers, only 6 reported combined evidence of adoption, effect on productivity and livelihood changes. A total of 58 papers looked at adoption, 19 at productivity change and 22 at livelihood change. This scoping review highlights the gap in evidence for the adoption of new livestock feeding practices and provides recommendations to support farmers’ uptake of feed interventions.

Effect of dietary supplemented cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) hay as replacement of concentrate on performance and economic efficiency of Abergelle goats

“…The drawbacks for the feed supplementation raised by farmers were the amount and frequency of feed given to the animal per day is too much that may cause animal health; fattening without castration and younger age of goats may reduce the response to feeding; unavailability of concentrate fed and lack of finance to undertake the technology; high cost and labor intensive; indoor feeding not consider farmer practice. Therefore in agreement with Baltenweck et al (2020), to make the farmers adopt this feeding practice the cowpea hay preparation method should be available; provision of adequate credit is necessary; extension worker should be committed to popularize the technology specially for pre-urban and urban area in which they have fattening experience; awareness creation through training is essential that long period fattening affect quality of meat and total return from production; fattening at younger age highly preferred by abattoirs and fast growth in lean meat and overall body condition. Strengthening market linkage with abattoir for better market value is essential.…”

Forage conservation in sub‐Saharan Africa: Review of experiences, challenges, and opportunities

“…As in other parts of the world, straw in SSA is generally very low in quality, with CP concentration typically below 50 g kg −1 , DM digestibility mostly below 600 g kg −1 , high fiber concentrations due to the advanced maturity of the forage and low concentration of minerals and vitamins (Muller, 2017). Therefore, preservation of straw is mostly done for handling, management, and avoiding wastage rather than preserving quality, and relatively little research and investment has been directed towards these areas (Baltenweck et al, 2020) or to improving the nutritive value.…”

Near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy for forage nutritive value analysis in sub‐Saharan African countries

“…This process of intensification is leading to greater market participation by livestock keepers and requires a more systematic approach to animal management. Intensification of smallholder livestock production is constrained by a range of factors, but lack of a plentiful, year‐round supply of quality feed is the most limiting constraint according to many observers (Balehegn et al., 2020; Baltenweck et al., 2020).…”