Publication Date

1993

Description

The paper focuses on smallholder production systems in the tropics, characterised not so much by the land holding or livestock numbers, which may vary from one ecozone to another, but rather by an integrated crop-livestock production system, which appears to be the common thread among smallholder producers across all ecozones of the tropics. A major advantage of such a system is the production of large quantities of crop residues on-farm. These residues have the potential to contribute significantly to feed requirements. Paradoxically, the major constraint facing this system is a perennial quantitative and qualitative feed shortage which is most manifest during the dry season. Solutions suggested for correcting the negative feed balance within the system are: (i) the expansion of the feed base to increase available quantities, via the exploitation of aquatic feed resources where appropriate; the conservation of forage; and the cultivation of improved fodder such as browse. (ii) the improvement of the quality of the major feed resource of the system, i.e., fibrous crop residues; and (iii) the development of improved and sustainable feeding systems through nutrient balancing to correct deficiencies inherent in crop residues. A number of successful practical feeding systems are described, and priority research areas including biotechnological applications that might further improve smallholder tropical feeding systems are suggested.

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Feed Resources for Intensive Smallholder Systems in the Tropics: The Role of Crop Residue

The paper focuses on smallholder production systems in the tropics, characterised not so much by the land holding or livestock numbers, which may vary from one ecozone to another, but rather by an integrated crop-livestock production system, which appears to be the common thread among smallholder producers across all ecozones of the tropics. A major advantage of such a system is the production of large quantities of crop residues on-farm. These residues have the potential to contribute significantly to feed requirements. Paradoxically, the major constraint facing this system is a perennial quantitative and qualitative feed shortage which is most manifest during the dry season. Solutions suggested for correcting the negative feed balance within the system are: (i) the expansion of the feed base to increase available quantities, via the exploitation of aquatic feed resources where appropriate; the conservation of forage; and the cultivation of improved fodder such as browse. (ii) the improvement of the quality of the major feed resource of the system, i.e., fibrous crop residues; and (iii) the development of improved and sustainable feeding systems through nutrient balancing to correct deficiencies inherent in crop residues. A number of successful practical feeding systems are described, and priority research areas including biotechnological applications that might further improve smallholder tropical feeding systems are suggested.