Track 3-01: Improving Livelihoods from Grasslands by Balancing Human Needs and the Environment
Description
Eritrea, a largely arid or semi-arid country in north-east Africa, lies on the western side of the Red Sea between about 12 and 18°N, and has an altitude ranging from -75m to 3018 m ASL. Soils range from shallow, often infertile stony soils in steeper areas to fertile clays and clay loams on the flats. Soil pH ranges from slightly acid to moderately alkaline. About 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence mixed farming, livestock being used for meat, milk, draft and fibre, as well as serving as a financial reserve. Average farm size in the most intensively populated area (central highlands) is about 0.2 ha, and in the less populated western lowlands about 2 ha. In extensive farming systems, the rangelands that account for more than 90% of livestock feed, have a carrying capacity ranging from about 20 ha/Tropical Livestock Unit (TLU ≡ one bovine with a body weight of 250 kg) in the 100 mm rainfall zone to about 4 ha/TLU in the 600 mm rainfall zone (Kayouli et al. 2002). Crop residue is the second largest source of feed for livestock, with sorghum residue being the most important by a large margin. In the more intensive dairy systems, perennial forages such as Medicago sativa cv. Hunter River (uplands) and Hairy Peruvian (lowlands) and Pennisetum purpureum are used by some farmers. Sorghum× almum has been introduced in limited areas in recent years. The combination of an extensive and diverse livestock population, and unreliable and strongly seasonal rainfall, has contributed to widespread overgrazing, which in turn has led to significant loss of ground cover and soil erosion. Much of the native grassland is now severely degraded, and more productive endemic species largely lost. The aim of this project was to enhance the sustainability of keeping livestock in Eritrea through improvement of the forage base. As in many countries, it was considered that this improvement might be best achieved through the incorporation of high quality, productive species that are adapted to the wide range of environments and applications found in Eritrea (Wolfe et al. 2005). This paper presents an account of progress in one of these situations, irrigated dairying in the central highlands.
Included in
A Case Study of Evaluation, Demonstration and Adoption of Improved Forages for a Cut-and-Carry System in Eritrea
Eritrea, a largely arid or semi-arid country in north-east Africa, lies on the western side of the Red Sea between about 12 and 18°N, and has an altitude ranging from -75m to 3018 m ASL. Soils range from shallow, often infertile stony soils in steeper areas to fertile clays and clay loams on the flats. Soil pH ranges from slightly acid to moderately alkaline. About 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence mixed farming, livestock being used for meat, milk, draft and fibre, as well as serving as a financial reserve. Average farm size in the most intensively populated area (central highlands) is about 0.2 ha, and in the less populated western lowlands about 2 ha. In extensive farming systems, the rangelands that account for more than 90% of livestock feed, have a carrying capacity ranging from about 20 ha/Tropical Livestock Unit (TLU ≡ one bovine with a body weight of 250 kg) in the 100 mm rainfall zone to about 4 ha/TLU in the 600 mm rainfall zone (Kayouli et al. 2002). Crop residue is the second largest source of feed for livestock, with sorghum residue being the most important by a large margin. In the more intensive dairy systems, perennial forages such as Medicago sativa cv. Hunter River (uplands) and Hairy Peruvian (lowlands) and Pennisetum purpureum are used by some farmers. Sorghum× almum has been introduced in limited areas in recent years. The combination of an extensive and diverse livestock population, and unreliable and strongly seasonal rainfall, has contributed to widespread overgrazing, which in turn has led to significant loss of ground cover and soil erosion. Much of the native grassland is now severely degraded, and more productive endemic species largely lost. The aim of this project was to enhance the sustainability of keeping livestock in Eritrea through improvement of the forage base. As in many countries, it was considered that this improvement might be best achieved through the incorporation of high quality, productive species that are adapted to the wide range of environments and applications found in Eritrea (Wolfe et al. 2005). This paper presents an account of progress in one of these situations, irrigated dairying in the central highlands.
