Problems, needs and opportunities of feeds in Sub-Saharan Africa

The livestock population density is high resulting stocking rate far different from the globally estimated carrying capacity and is reflected in low animal productivity and degraded natural resources. Seasonal rainfall distribution influence pasture production, which is in excess during the rain season and scarce in the dry season. The livestock owners should be able to adjust to this fluctuating feed supply through either seasonal disposal or purchase of livestock or augmenting through wise use of cereal straw and through haymaking in the crop-livestock mixed farming system, highlands. It should be pointed out that there is a considerable opportunity for increasing pasture production and back-upping feed supply by availing non-conventional feed stuffs; indigenous knowledge built through traditional experience. Regarding crop residues and agro-industrial by-products, appropriate technologies for improving their contribution to improve the nutritional values of available feed resources over seasons should be emphasized.