This document summarizes efforts to reduce postharvest feed losses and improve feed utilization in smallholder systems in Ethiopia. Methods included training farmers in conservation practices and feed formulation. Improved feed troughs and sheds were constructed and demonstrated, reducing feed waste by over 30% and improving feed quality. Analysis found the costs of the troughs and sheds could be recovered within 6 months and 2-3 years, respectively. Over 140 troughs were subsequently scaled up with partners. Challenges to wider adoption included the need for locally suitable materials and designs.

1. Postharvest feed handling and utilization innovation
Melkamu Bezabih, Aberra Adie, Kindu Mekonnen and Peter Thorne
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Ethiopia
Introduction
Postharvest feed loses and poor utilization practices contribute to
feed scarcity and poor livestock nutrition in the smallholder system.
Simple and affordable technologies and skills can considerably
minimize wastage of feeds during storage and optimize utilization of
available feed resources.
Results/Achievements
Method/Approaches
• Training and awareness creation on feed conservation practices.
• Construction and demonstration of improved feed troughs and feed
sheds.
• Training on feed formulation to optimize quality and efficiency.
• Data collection on the benefits of introduced technologies against
traditional practices.
• Field days and exchange visits.
• Capacity building of local stakeholders to provide service for their
communities.
• Feed wastage considerably reduced (>30%) due to the use of
improved feed troughs and storage sheds (Figure 1).
• Quality deterioration of straw, stover and hay during storage
avoided due to improved feed sheds.
• Minimal fungal contamination on stored feeds ensured reduced
health risk on farmers who handle feeds and feeding.
• Labor demand for feeding reduced (up to 20%) due to feed troughs.
• Positive effect on women and youth due to reduced demand for
labor.
• Analysis indicated the cost incurred on feed troughs can be
recovered within 6 months while that of feed sheds with 2-3 years
(Figure 2).
• The technologies enabled farmers to mix different feed ingredients
on feed troughs and feed a better quality diet.
• Improved feed troughs contributed to an efficient cut-and-carry
feeding system with cultivated forages and other collected feeds.
• Interest created among development partners to scale the
technologies.
• A total of 147 feed troughs scaled in 2017 and 2018 through
development partnerships.
• Train key resource persons in scaling woredas
to facilitate and support the construction of
improved feed troughs and sheds.
• Work with TAAT project and others partners to
mobilize resources for scaling.
• In-depth analysis of positive effects/gains on the
different SI domains.
Plan for 2019
• The modest level of investment at household level
and the skills required to construct are challenges
for wider adoption of the technologies.
• Use of locally available materials and modifying
the prototypes to suit individual farmers will be
important for scaling.
The Africa Research In Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation (Africa RISING) program comprises three research-for-
development projects supported by the United States Agency for International Development as part of the U.S. government’s Feed the
Future initiative.
Through action research and development partnerships, Africa RISING will create opportunities for smallholder farm households to move out
of hunger and poverty through sustainably intensified farming systems that improve food, nutrition, and income security, particularly for
women and children, and conserve or enhance the natural resource base.
The three projects are led by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (in West Africa and East and Southern Africa) and the
International Livestock Research Institute (in the Ethiopian Highlands). The International Food Policy Research Institute leads an
associated project on monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment.
www.africa-rising.net
Key challenges and lessons
We thank farmers, site coordinators and local partners in Africa RISING sites and ILRI for their contributions to this research.
We also thank USAID for its financial support through the Feed the Future Initiative.
Acknowledgement
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Lemo Endamohoni Basona
Period(year)
CR(kg)orvalue(ETB)
Saved CR Value (ETB) Cost recovery period
Figure 2. Quantity and value of crop residue (CR) saved due
to improved feeding trough per year per average household.
Figure 1. Improved two sided feed trough for cattle (left) and
feed shed demonstration