Fodder Plants for Cattle in Kaliro District, Uganda
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Date
2009
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
African Study Monographs
Abstract
The need for cultivating cattle feed in Uganda’s Kaliro District has become
urgent because the natural grazing areas are rapidly declining. The aim of this study was to
generate information that would lead to the development and cultivation of livestock feed in
the farming system. The specific objectives were (1) to describe cattle husbandry practices
and (2) to document the indigenous cattle fodder and browse species. Our results show that
95% of the Kaliro households rear cattle, but are keeping fewer heads because of low fodder
availability. They are also tethering animals as a direct response to the declining area of
natural pastures. The cattle of Kaliro commonly feed on 42 plant species, dominated by grass
and herb species. These species according to the respondents are becoming scarce because
pasturelands have been converted to crop agriculture and to settlement. Fodder is also
reportedly scarce in the dry season. Results of this study suggest that a diversity of plant
species is available in Kaliro District from which to select some to cultivate in the variety of
niches around the farm. Thirty of the fodder species reported here have other uses besides
their use as fodder for cattle for the community. This may make them especially easy to select
for cultivation by farmers around the farm.
Description
Keywords
Livestock husbandry, Ethnobotany, Uganda
Citation
Tabuti, John R.S. ...[et al]. FODDER PLANTS FOR CATTLE IN KALIRO DISTRICT, UGANDA. African Study Monographs 2009, 30(3): 161-170. https://doi.org/10.14989/85282