Integrating Livestock into Agricultural Systems for Increased Livestock Productivity: Evidence from Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Babati District, Tanzania

Smallholder farming systems are characterized sub-optimal production and use available feed resources. Smallholder farmers in Babati District keep an average of 3-4 heads of cattle per household. A feed assessment (FEAST) survey conducted in 2015 identified limited access to high quality fodder in adequate quantities as a constraining factor in dairy production. The current study was therefore geared towards evaluating the impact of introducing crop residues (maize stover, bean haulms, and pigeon pea haulms) into basal rations on milk yield under smallholder farmer conditions. The study tested the impact of feeding improved Napier grass and maize stover supplemented with bean haulms at different levels on milk yield under smallholder conditions. The study designed involved use of field trial experimentation considering 2 genotypes (local and improved cattle) and 2 basal rations of Napier grass and maize stover supplemented with bean haulms at different levels (100, 80, 70 & 60%). However, the study considered only improved cattle as local cattle could not be confined for the experiment as such there was no data collected. Farms were used as experimental units and lactating cows as replicates. A total of 24 cows in early lactation were selected from six villages. Data was collected for 45 days with a 7-day adjustment. A regression analysis was applied to assess the incremental changes. Results indicate that Napier grass can yield significantly higher milk yield when supplemented with bean haulms at the rate of 20-40%. The higher the inclusion rate the more milk is realized: 0.5-2.7 litres per day. Supplementing maize stover with bean haulms on the other hand yielded marginal milk increased per day. Therefore, there is an opportunity to promote improved forages and integration of crop residues in dairy production. There is a need for upscale technology and promote good dairy/livestock production practices for improved livestock productivity.