Poster by Bernard A. Lukuyu, Alan Duncan, Isabelle Baltenweck and Emmanuel Kinuthia presented at the 13th Biennial Scientific Conference of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Nairobi, Kenya, 22-26 October 2012.
Developing site specific feed plans using the feed assessment tool (FEAST)
1. Bernard A. Lukuyu1, Alan Duncan2, Isabelle Baltenweck1 and Emmanuel Kinuthia1
1InternationalLivestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
2International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Presented at the 13th KARI Biennial Scientific Conference, 22-26 October 2012, Nairobi, Kenya
The problem Why FEAST?
It broadens feed assessment to cover:
Dairy production is rapidly developing in East Africa, but smallholder farmers are often faced with the
o the importance of livestock as a livelihood strategy;
challenge of inadequate feed resources especially in the dry season.
o the importance of feed problems relative to other problems;
o key factors such as labour, input availability, credit, seasonality and
Conventionally, feed assessments focus on the types of feeds, their nutritive value and ways of
markets for products.
improving nutritive value. The demand side is often overlooked when planning feeds and feeding
It identifies feed gaps and improves targeting of feed-related solutions
interventions.
How does it work? Sample outputs
• Overview of farming system and Livestock holdings of the farmers
livestock feed aspect in tropical livestock units (TLU) Shows whether livestock
1. Participatory
Rapid Appraisal • Milk marketing, veterinary services is an important source of
(PRA) • Major problems for livestock income
production Shows the various
sources of household
income
• Quantitative information on crop- Shows the percentage
livestock production, feed availability
and feeding rations
contribution of various
2. Individual
• Qualitative information: perception on sources of income
farmer survey
feed quality
Feed availability
Available Feed Resources Displays annual distribution
70 6
60 5
of rainfall in the area
50
4
Shows seasonal available
Availability
40
3
• Stakeholder write-shops to enter data 30
2
feed resources throughout
3. Participatory in FEAST template and summarize
20
10 1 the year
data analysis PRA findings 0 0
Shows quantities of
and developing • Based on result, jointly develop ideas
interventions for intervention and implementation Concentrates Crop residues Grazing Green forage
purchased feed over 12
plans Legume residues RHODES HAY SILAGE Rainfall Pattern
months
Dietary composition
The FEAST template
Shows crops grown
Shows fodder crops grown
Final report Shows the various feed
FEAST report with some ideas for resources that contribute
key problems and solutions to dry matter (DM) content,
Better links and understanding crude protein and
between farmers, research and metabolizable energy
development staff