Andrew Mwebaze Atuhaire, Swidiq Mugerwa, Samuel Okello, Kenneth Okello Lapenga, Fred Kabi, Jolly Mary Kabirizi

Show more
National Agricultural Research Institute (NARO), National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI), Tororo, Uganda.
Department of Livestock and Industrial Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Department of Agricultural Production, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Show less

Abstract: Poor nutrition has been identified as a major constraint to productivity in smallholder dairy farming households in Uganda, particularly in Lake Victoria Crescent Agroecological Zone (LVZ). Clarification on nutritional potential of crop residues is central to formulation of sustainable dairy cattle nutrition strategies. Data were collected from 126 randomly selected respondents using structured and semi-structured questionnaires. Farmers’ responses on crop residues utilization, handling, limitations, spatial and temporal variability were collected. Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences on utilization of available crop residues (X2 = 50.4, df = 4, p = 0.0001) among farmer’s rankings. It was established that maize stovers were major crop residues utilized and inadequate knowledge to process crop residues was ranked as a major limitation. The study provided basic information on the importance of crop residues. Further research studies should focus on improving the nutritive value of maize stover.

Keywords: Haulms; Stovers; Nutritive Value; Vine

Cite this paper: Atuhaire, A. , Mugerwa, S. , Okello, S. , Lapenga, K. , Kabi, F. and Kabirizi, J. (2014) Prioritization of Crop Residues for Improving Productivity on Smallholder Dairy Farming Households in the Lake Victoria Crescent, Uganda. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 4, 103-111. doi: 10.4236/ojas.2014.42014.

References

[1]   Kabirizi, J., Mpairwe, D. and Mutetikka, D. (2006) Improving Dairy Cattle Productivity in Smallholder Farms in Uganda: Incorporating Leguminous Forages in Farming Systems. Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 12, 1-12.

[2]   Winrock International (1992) Assessment of Animal Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa. Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development, Morrilton.

[3]   Kabi, F. and Bareeba, F.B. (2007) Factors Influencing Adoption of Cattle Excreta Management Practices for Improved Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) Production by Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) Production by Small-holder Dairy Farmers. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 19, Article #24.

[4]   MAAIF (2010) Agriculture for Food and Income Security: Agricultural Sector Development Strategy and Investment Plan 2010/11-2014/15. MAAIF, Entebbe, Uganda.

[5]   FAO (2012) Crop Residue Based Densified Total Mixed Ration—A User-Friendly Approach to Utilise Food Crop By-Products for Ruminant Production, by Walli, T.K., Garg, M.R. and Makkar, H.P.S., FAO Animal Production and Health Paper, No. 172, Rome.

[6]   Bahiigwa, G., Rigby, D. and Woodhouse, P. (2005) Right Target, Wrong Mechanism? Agricultural Modernization and Poverty Reduction in Uganda. World Development, 33, 481-496.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2004.09.008

[7]   UBOS (2012) Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Abstract. www.ubos.org

[8]   Mugerwa, S., Kabirizi, J.M., Zziwa, E. and Lukwago, G. (2012) Utilization of Crop Residues and Agro-Industrial By-Products in Livestock Feeds and Feeding Systems of Uganda. International Journal of Biosciences, 2, 82-89.

[9]   Lentes, P., Holmann, F., Peters, M. and White, D. (2010) Constraints, Feeding Strategies and Opportunities to Improve Productivity and Income in Milk Production Systems in Olancho, Honduras. Tropical Grasslands, 44, 33-46.

[10]   Tesfaye, A. and Chairatanayuth, P. (2007) Management and Feeding Systems of Crop Residues: The Experience of East Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 19, Article #31.

[11]   Tsopito, C.M. (2003) Crop Residues as a Feed Source for Ruminants. UNISWA Journal of Agriculture, 12, 29-34.

[12]   Walli, T.K. (2009) Crop Residue Based Densified Feed Block Technology for Improving Ruminant Productivity. In: Walli, T.K., Ed., Compendium, Satellite Symposium on Fodder Block Technology, New Delhi, 67-73.

[13]   Anandan, S., Khan, A.A., Ravi, D., Reddy, J. and Blummel, M. (2010) A Comparison of Sorghum Stover Based Complete Feed Blocks with a Conventional Feeding Practice in Peri-Urban Dairy Cattle. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, 10, 23-28.

[14]   Njarui, D.M.G., Gatheru, M., Wambua, J.M., Nguluu, S.N., Mwangi, D.M. and Keya, G.A. (2011) Feeding Management for Dairy Cattle in Smallholder Farming Systems of Semi-Arid Tropical Kenya. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 23, Article #111.

[15]   Preston, T.R. and Leng, R.A. (1987) Matching Ruminant Production Systems with Available Resources in the Tropics and Subtropics. Penambul Books, Armidale, 259 p.
http://www.utafoundation.org/P&L/preston&leng.htm

[16]   XLSTAT (2013) http://wwwaddinsoft.com

[17]   Okaboi, G. (2011) Improved Input Use, Productivity and Commercialization in Uganda Maize Production. PhD Thesis, Makerere University, Kampala, 151.

[18]   Akinfemi, A., Adu, O.A. and Adebiyi, O.A. (2009) Use of White Rot-Fungi in Upgrading Maize Straw and, the Resulting Impact on Chemical Composition and in Vitro Digestibility. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 21, Article #162.

[19]   Lukuyu, B., Franzel, S., Ongadi, P.M. and Duncan, A.J. (2011) Livestock Feed Resources: Current Production and Management Practices in central and Northern Rift Valley Provinces of Kenya. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 23, Article #112.

[20]   Smith, O.B. (1993) Feed Resources for Intensive Smallholder Systems in the Tropics: The Role of Crop Residues. Proceedings of the XVII International Grassland Congress, 18-21 February 1993, Rockhampton.

[21]   Mlay, P.S., Pereka, A.E., Balthazary, S.T., Phiri, E.C.J., Hvelplund, T., Weisbjerg, M.R. and Madsen, J. (2005) The Effect of Maize Bran or Maize Bran Mixed with Sunflower Cake on the Performance of Smallholder Dairy Cows in Urban and Peri-Urban Area in Morogoro, Tanzania. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 17, Art. #2.

[22]   NRC (2001) Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. 7th Revised Edition, National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington DC.

[23]   Dejene, M., Bediye, S., Kehaliw, A., Kitaw, G. and Nesha, K. (2009) On-Farm Evaluation of Lactating Crossbred (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) Dairy Cows Fed a Basal Diet of Urea Treated Teff (Eragrostis tef) Straw Supplemented with Escape Protein Source during the Dry Season in Crop-Livestock Production System of North Shoa, Ethiopia. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 21, Article #61.

[24]   Ngongoni, N.T., Mapiye, C., Mwale, M. and Mupeta, B. (2006) Factors Affecting Milk Production in the Smallholder Dairy Sector of Zimbabwe. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 18, Article #72.

[25]   Mubiru, S.I., Tenywa, J.S., Halberg, N., Romney, D., Nanyeenya, W., Baltenweck, I. and Staal, S. (2007) Categorization of Dairy Production Systems: A Strategy for Targeting Meaningful Development of the Systems in Uganda. Livestock Research for Rural Development, 19, Article #100.