Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
This is a review of forage and livestock production as they interact with farming in Sahel West Africa. Because of the complementarity of livestock and farming, as well as the abundant production of native forage in the higher rainfall southern farming areas, there is considerable hope among the donor community and host governments that both livestock and crop production can be substantially increased in the Sudan zone of West Africa. According to Winrock (1978) crop residue provides 24 % of the world supply of ruminant nutrients .. On the other hand, livestock manure supplies a large part of the agricultural fertilizer and could provide 40 to 60% of the Sahelian needs by the year 2000, but it is not likely to exceed 30% (ILCA, 1981). Animal traction is considered essential to breaking the labor constraint to increased crop production with intermediate technology (Sargent, 1981). Rather than competing for land, it is concluded that the livestock-farming interaction is essential for optimum total production.
Citation
Dickey, James R., "Review of Forage/Livestock Production on Mixed Farms in Sahel West Africa" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 3.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses15/3)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Review of Forage/Livestock Production on Mixed Farms in Sahel West Africa
Kyoto Japan
This is a review of forage and livestock production as they interact with farming in Sahel West Africa. Because of the complementarity of livestock and farming, as well as the abundant production of native forage in the higher rainfall southern farming areas, there is considerable hope among the donor community and host governments that both livestock and crop production can be substantially increased in the Sudan zone of West Africa. According to Winrock (1978) crop residue provides 24 % of the world supply of ruminant nutrients .. On the other hand, livestock manure supplies a large part of the agricultural fertilizer and could provide 40 to 60% of the Sahelian needs by the year 2000, but it is not likely to exceed 30% (ILCA, 1981). Animal traction is considered essential to breaking the labor constraint to increased crop production with intermediate technology (Sargent, 1981). Rather than competing for land, it is concluded that the livestock-farming interaction is essential for optimum total production.
