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

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dc.contributor.authorMulubrhan, Balehegn
dc.contributor.authorAugustine, Ayantunde
dc.contributor.authorTund, e Amole
dc.contributor.authorDonald, Njarui
dc.contributor.authorBhutikini D, Nkosi5
dc.contributor.authorFrancuois L, Müller5
dc.contributor.authorFrancuois L, Müller5
dc.contributor.authorTlou J, Tjelele
dc.contributor.authorIngrid M, Malebana5
dc.contributor.authorOthusitse R, Madibela
dc.contributor.authorWame S, Boitumelo
dc.contributor.authorBen, Lukuyu
dc.contributor.authorAddah, Weseh
dc.contributor.authorElias, Minani
dc.contributor.authorAdegbola T, Adesogan
dc.date.accessioned2023-02-06T13:40:23Z
dc.date.available2023-02-06T13:40:23Z
dc.date.issued2021-11-04
dc.description.abstractAbstractForage conservation is an important potential solution to seasonal variation in feed quality and quantity and herder-farmer conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Considerable variations exist in the type of forages conserved and the preservation methods across SSA. Hay from cultivated forages is commonly made with mechanical mowers and balers by large-scale commercial farms. In contrast, smallholder farmers, who dominate farming on the continent, make hay from natural pastures and straw from crop residues or stockpiled forage. Mechanized harvesting and storing of silage are also practiced by commercial farmers in various countries including South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Smallholder farmers rarely make silage, despite repeated recommendations about its potential to bridge the dry season feed gap. This is due to the limited resources, knowledge, and skills. Hay and silage produced by smallholders is typically poor in quality due to use of lower quality forages, improper storage methods, and lack of an economic incentive because feed prices do not reflect quality in most regions. This paper discusses the status of forage conservation across SSA and recommends strategic interventions and technologies to improve the quantity, quality, safety, pricing, and utilization of preserved forages in SSA. Key deductions include the need to raise awareness about their role in bridging the feed gap, to build capacity and invest in appropriate technology, to optimize their production and use, to develop mechanisms to relate prices to quality, and to incentivize women and youth and the private sector to engage further in making and selling preserved forages.en_US
dc.identifier.citationBalehegn, M., Ayantunde, A., Amole, T., Njarui, D., Nkosi, B. D., Müller, F. L., Meeske, R., Tjelele, T. J., Malebana, I. M., Madibela, O. R., Boitumelo, W. S., Lukuyu, B., Weseh, A., Minani, E., & Adesogan, A. T. (2022). Forage conservation in sub-Saharan Africa: Review of experiences, challenges, and opportunities. Agronomy Journal, 114, 75– 99. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20954en_US
dc.identifier.issn0002-1962
dc.identifier.issn1435-0645 (online)
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/7589
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherJohn Wiley & Sons, Ltden_US
dc.subjectquality forages, sub-Saharan Africa, Review of experiences, challenges, and opportunitiesen_US
dc.titleForage conservation in sub-Saharan Africa: Review of experiences, challenges, and opportunitiesen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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