Browsing by Author "Maleko, David"

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Enhancing on-farm fodder availability and utilization for sustainable dairy production in the smallholder farming systems of western usambara highlands, Tanzania
(NM-AIST, 2020-04) Maleko, David
Dairy cattle farmers in Tanzania experience a huge decline in milk production due to insufficient feed supply to their animals particularly during the dry seasons. This poses a great challenge to sustainability of smallholder dairy farming systems (SHDFSs) in the country. The aim of this study was to evaluate fodder resources availability, utilization practices and seasonal variations; as well as to assess potentials for improving pasture production and utilization in the SHDFSs of Western Usambara Highlands (WUHs), Tanzania. Integrated approaches were used in this study including review of literature, household and farm surveys, planting and evaluating suitability of four Pennisetum purpureum Schumach varieties (local Napier, Bana, Ouma and Kakamega 2) in improving ruminant feed availability. In addition, an experiment was conducted during a dry season to assess the potential of graded levels of homemade supplementary ration (HSR) consisting of Calliandra calothyrsus leaf-meal, maize bran, molasses and mineral-vitamin premixes on dairy cattle milk productivity. Results indicated that fodder scarcity was the major challenge during the dry season (July-October). On-farm fodder resources contributed most of the cattle diet. Natural pasture and Napier grass were the most important feeds in wet season and maize stover in dry seasons. Processing and supplementation of poor roughages with protein-energy concentrates were unpopular. Milk yields were 5.57 and 3.01 litres/cow/day in the wet and dry seasons respectively. The findings also demonstrated that Ouma and Kakamega 2 can be promoted in the WUHs for forage use due to higher biomass production. HSR improved the dry season milk yields significantly (P<0.001). Nonetheless, simulated year-round daily milk yields indicated that 4 and 6 kg HSR/cow/day would double the milk yields. There was overall significant difference (P=0.02) in the income to cost ratios (ICR) across the HSR levels. However, the ICR for 4 and 6 kg HSR/cow/day did not differ significantly (P<0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation level of 4 kg HSR/cow/day to the fibrous basal diets is suitable for profitable milk yields in the WUHs. It is therefore, recommended to increase fodder production and adopt proper supplementation practices to meet sustainable dairy production in the WUHs and elsewhere with similar environment.
Forage Growth, Yield and Nutritional Characteristics of Four Varieties of Napier Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum Schumach) in the West Usambara Highlands, Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2019-10-28) Maleko, David; Mwilawa, Angello; Msalya, George; Pasape, Liliane; Mtei, Kelvin
Abstract Low pasture biomass production and dry seasons fodder scarcity are among the major challenges affecting productivity of dairy cattle in Tanzania. Field experiments were set to evaluate growth, biomass yields and nutritional contents of four napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) varieties as feed for ruminants. Experimental napier varieties included Ouma, Kakamega 2 (KK2), Bana and local napier (LN). The study was conducted in the Western Usambara highlands (WUHs) in Tanzania between December 2016 and April 2017 (110 days). The results indicated that the varietal mean stem heights differed significantly (P<0.001); whereby LN, Ouma, KK2 and Bana had mean heights of 210.81, 185.72, 177.15 and 145.44 cm respectively. There was a significant difference (P=0.025) in the mean total forage biomass production in which KK2, LN, Ouma and Bana yielded 16551, 14035, 12868 and 8954 kg dry matter/ha respectively. The crude protein content averaged 9.92% and did not differ significantly across the varieties (P=0.83). The mean metabolizable energy was 7.94 MJ/kg dry matter and did not differ significantly across the varieties (P=0.11). The in vitro organic matter digestibility differed significantly (P=0.03); 65.87, 59.22, 58.33 and 55.41% for Ouma, Bana, KK2 and LN respectively. This study demonstrates that Ouma and KK2 can be established in the WUHs for forage use due to higher biomass production. Further studies on ensiling and animal feeding would provide valuable information for optimizing forage conservation and animal performance in the WUHs and elsewhere with similar conditions.
Overview of feed resources condition and feeding practices among the smallholder dairy farmers in Tanzania
(RUFORUM Working Document Series, 2016) Maleko, David; Msalya, George; Mwilawa, Aloyce; Pasape, Linus; Mtei, Kelvin
In Tanzania, most smallholder dairy farmers rely on on-farm resources for feeding their livestock. These on-farm feed resources include grasses, legumes, crop residues, cereals and oilseed byproducts. These feed resources, in particular pasture and crop residues, do often fluctuate seasonally both in terms of quantity and quality. For example, pasture tends to be plenty in wet seasons but becomes very scarce in dry seasons. This fluctuation results in a reduction of over 40% in milk yield during the dry season. Despite a number of research and development interventions for curbing the problems of dry season fodder scarcity, the culture of forage production and preservation in terms of hay or silage, leaf-meal or feed blocks as a dry season feeding strategy is still limited among the Tanzanian smallholder dairy farmers. This study aimed at getting an overview of feed resources and dairy cattle feeding resources in two districts of Tanzania. It is hoped that information generated would inform development of future innovative solutions for curbing the identified challenges. A reconnaissance survey was conducted in eight villages in Tanga region including six in Lushoto and two in Korogwe district. The survey revealed that feed resources are plenty in the wet season (December to July) but very scarce in dry season (August to November) in both two districts. The findings suggest that poor feeding strategies and inadequate knowledge on dairy nutrition exists among the smallholder dairy farmers. Therefore, promoting on-farm research and development interventions in the areas of feeding strategies, fodder production and conservation are of paramount importance if sustainable dairy production is to be achieved in the study sites.
Seasonal variations in the availability of fodder resources and practices of dairy cattle feeding among the smallholder farmers in Western Usambara Highlands, Tanzania.
(Springer Nature Switzerland AG., 2018-10-01) Maleko, David; Ng, Wai-Tim; Msalya, George; Mwilawa, Angello; Pasape, Liliane; Mtei, Kelvin
The aim of this study was to assess the seasonal effects on quantity and quality of fodder resources and associated utilization practices among smallholder dairy farmers in Western Usambara Highlands (WUHs) in Tanzania. The WUHs are among the major milk producing areas under smallholder dairy farming systems (SDFS) in Tanzania. Dry season fodder scarcity is a widespread problem affecting the East African SDFS and has been shown to contribute to over 40% reduction in milk yield. There is limited information with regard to seasonal fodder fluctuation and its effects on productivity of dairy cows in different landscape levels of Tanzania. Field and household surveys were conducted in 150 dairy cattle farming households from five villages in three wards located in WUHs. Survey data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21. In addition, remote sensing techniques were employed on gap-filled and smoothed Landsat data to generate land cover maps and bimonthly normalized difference vegetation index-time series for the 2009-2016. SDFS landscape was highly heterogeneous typified by crops, bushes, and forests. On average, the household landholding was 1.3 ha, while herd size was three cattle. About 87% of household land was devoted to crop growing with limited pasture along the farm margins and contour strips. Fodder scarcity was the major challenge during the dry season (July to October) as indicated by 87% of the respondents. On-farm fodder resources contributed most of the cattle diet (73%) while rangeland, forest, and purchased feed provided small amount. Natural pasture and napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) were the most important feeds in wet season while maize stover was most significant during the dry season. Maize stover was profusely stored for dry season feeding and neither silage nor hay making was practiced. The nutritional values of the fibrous feeds declined during the dry season, whereby the metabolizable energy and crude protein contents were 6.0 MJ/kg and 10.1% dry matter, respectively, during wet season compared to 4.8 MJ/kg and 7.8% dry matter, respectively, during the dry season. Consequently, milk yield drops from 5.6 l per cow per day in the wet season to 3.0 l in the dry season. It is concluded that dry season fodder scarcity is a major problem in the WUHs and it hinders sustainable dairy production. It is therefore suggested that increase in fodder production as well as adoption of fodder conservation and feeding technologies are inevitable if sustainable dairy production is to be met in the Western Usambara Highlands and elsewhere with similar environments.
Smallholder dairy cattle feeding technologies and practices in Tanzania: failures, successes, challenges and prospects for sustainability
(International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 2018-02-26) Maleko, David; Msalya, George; Mwilawa, Angello; Pasape, Liliane; Mtei, Kelvin
In Tanzania, milk production under smallholder farming systems is season sensitive, fluctuations of feeds in both quantity and quality being the major driver. A dry season decline in milk production of over 40% due to feed scarcity is a common phenomenon. Adoption of improved feed production, conservation and utilization technologies and practices in dairy farming communities is poor. This review work was based on a key question which states “Why is adoption of improved dairy nutrition technologies and practices in Tanzania still poor despite being promoted for decades?”. We have shown that major opportunities for curbing dry season animal feed shortage include on-farm optimization of production and use of high yielding pasture varieties including napier grass (Pennisetum purperium Schumach.) and leguminous fodder species. Crop residues in particular maize stover needs to be optimized for effective dry season feeding. The major reasons for low adoption of proven technologies include limited technical knowhow among smallholder dairy farmers augmented by limited extension services and technological costs. For enhancing sustainable uptake; we suggest promotion of on-farm research, publicprivate partnerships and dairy farmers’ cooperative associations. These are vital for facilitating smooth access to information, investment capital, reliable inputs and markets among the smallholder dairy farmers.