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FEED RESOURCE ASSESSMENT IN NORTHERN GHANA

This study evaluates the existing feed resources in Northern Ghana to identify seasonal shortages and constraints that affect ruminant production. The data collected through interviews and discussions with smallholder farmers reveals the available feedstuffs, their utilization, as well as grazing and supplementary feeding practices. The study also surveys the emerging feed market, documenting the types of feed sold, prices, and nutritional characteristics. The findings provide insights for improving feed availability, productivity, and animal health in smallholder livestock systems.

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FEED RESOURCE ASSESSMENT IN NORTHERN GHANA

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  1. FEED RESOURCE ASSESSMENT IN NORTHERN GHANA S. P. Konlan, Dr. A A. Ayantunde, Dr. W. Addah, Prof. H. K. Dei and Dr. F. K. Avornyo

  2. Introduction • One of the major constraints to Livestock production in Ghana is inadequate feed in quantity, quality and accessibility (Oppong-Anane, 2013; Awuma, 2012; Smith, 2010) • Assessment of the feed resource available for smallholder farmers could help increase use efficiency and productivity of animals in smallholder system (Diogo et al, 2010).

  3. objective The objective of this work was to; evaluate the existing feed resources to identify critical seasonal shortages and other related constraints that negatively affects ruminant production in Northern Ghana (NG).

  4. Materials and Methods Data collection • Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) (Duncan et al., 2012) was used in collecting data for this study • It comprised; • PRA focus group discussion • Individual interview with semi structure questionnaire and • Analytical package. • Participants were crop-livestock farmers in NG This was done in September to October 2013.

  5. Materials and Methods • Data collected covered general farming system, rain fall pattern, land and livestock ownership, feed availability and uses by smallholder farmers Data analysis • Feed availability and used data was analyzed with FEAST Excel template (Duncan et al., 2012) • Others data was analyzed with SPSS version 17 following the procedure of general linear model

  6. Results and discussion

  7. Results and discussion

  8. Results and discussion Feed resources and utilization • The available feedstuffs in the area that contribute to ruminant diet during the assessment included; • crop residues, • natural pasture, • cultivated fodder and • purchased feed. Similar reports were given by other workers (Karbo and Agyare, 2002; Tundeand Ayantunde, 2016)

  9. Results and discussion

  10. Results and discussion • Cultivated fodder were; • Pigeon pea (Cajanuscajan) and Leucaenaleuccocephala(Karbo et al., 1998) • Other available fodder species were Gliricidiasepium and Ficussp • Purchased feed were dominated by • maize bran, corn milling waste, rice bran and pito mash (brewer’s spent grain) Feed purchasing is an emerging practices among smallholder farmers. (Huseini et al., 2011; Tunde and Ayantunde, 2016)

  11. Results and discussion Grazing at pasture and supplementary feeding. • Fodder grazed at pasture comprised grass, forbs and uncollected crops residues on cultivated fields. • This provided the larger part of annual DM needs of ruminants • Supplementary feed offer was estimated to account for about 20 % of ruminant annual DM needs according to the farmers

  12. Results and discussion

  13. Results and discussion • Two seasons (dry and wet seasons) greatly influences feed availability and quality at pasture • The PRA discussions however, revealed the existence of 2 sub-seasons that have impact on feed quality and availability variation at pasture in both seasons. • Sub-seasons in dry season were; early dry (Nov. to Jan.) and late dry (Feb. to April). • That of the wet season included early wet (May to July) and main wet (Aug. to Oct.) • Other constraints were; diseases, poor breeds, housing and high cost of veterinary drugs

  14. Lessons and way forward • Feed resources in available include: • pasture (grass and forbs) • crop residues, browse plants (grown or collected from rangeland) and • Agro-industrial by-products (collected at households or purchased) • Feed shortage occur in the dry season and became critical from February to May. • High incidence of disease and mortality was reported as another major production setback

  15. Lessons and way forward • Intervention on fodder planting, conservation and best healthcare practices could help increase productivity. • The seasonal trend of diseases occurrences and mortality of animal in smallholder flock could be investigated for possible technological solution to reduce healthcare cost and mortality

  16. Survey of the emerging feed market • The decline in feed availability was observed to be severe in urban and peri-urban areas. • This have triggered the sale of different kinds of feedstuffs (Huseini et al., 2011; ILRI, 2009; Ayantunde et al.,2014) • To facilitate development of the markets, data on the types of feed sold, prices and nutritional characteristics will be relevant • The feed market in NG was surveyed to document; • types of feed sold • feed price and nutritional quality relationship and • Identify the constraints and prospects of the feed market.

  17. Materials and Methods • Semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection from Feed sellers and buyers based on their willingness • Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa markets were surveyed in NG after areconnaissance market survey • Data collected covered • Profile of feed sellers and buyers, • Type of feed sold and prices/kg DM , • Three samples of each feed type was bought in each market, analyzed and determined nutritive quality • Effect of season and market location on feed quality and price was estimated • The data were analyzed with SPSS version 17.

  18. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Types of feedstuffs traded • Huseini et al. (2011) reported, similar feedstuffs sold in UER • Consistent with the findings of (Ayantunde et al., 2014) in Bamako, Mali • ILRI (2009) reported over 50% feedstuffs on sale being crop residues in Ethiopia • Presence of AIBPs creates opportunity for formulation of commercial feed for ruminants

  19. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION • Feed price was higher at Bolga market but season did not affect mean feed price AIBPs • Price of browse plants was however, higher during late dry season

  20. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION • Similar feed market constraints were reported in India (Singh et al., 2013) and Ethiopia (ILRI, 2009) • Enactment of policies by local authorities could help address these constraints and improve feed trading • About 90% of the respondents reported that increased animal production activities and rapid decline of forage at pasture are drivers of the feed market

  21. Lessons and way forward • Provision of feed market stalls, credit and storage facilities could accelerate feed market development • Increase urban and peri-urban feed availability for ruminant production • Further study on the volumes of feed sold in specified periodcould be pursued • Effect of harvesting on environment and • The contribution of purchase feed to fattening of animal could be investigated to help identify strategies of developing the emerging feed market

  22. Thank you

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