University of Kentucky UKnowledge International Grassland Congress Proceedings XXIII International Grassland Congress Identification of Niches for Integration of Brachiaria Grasses in Smallholder Mixed Crop-Livestock Farming Systems in Kenya Donald M. G. Njarui Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, Kenya Elias M. Gichangi Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, Kenya Mwangi Gatheru Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, Kenya Michael N. Njunie Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, Kenya Elkana Nyambati Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, Kenya See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc Part of the Plant Sciences Commons, and the Soil Science Commons This document is available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/23/2-6-1/6 The XXIII International Grassland Congress (Sustainable use of Grassland Resources for Forage Production, Biodiversity and Environmental Protection) took place in New Delhi, India from November 20 through November 24, 2015. Proceedings Editors: M. M. Roy, D. R. Malaviya, V. K. Yadav, Tejveer Singh, R. P. Sah, D. Vijay, and A. Radhakrishna Published by Range Management Society of India This Event is brought to you for free and open access by the Plant and Soil Sciences at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in International Grassland Congress Proceedings by an authorized administrator of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact UKnowledge@lsv.uky.edu. Presenter Information Donald M. G. Njarui, Elias M. Gichangi, Mwangi Gatheru, Michael N. Njunie, Elkana Nyambati, Keziah W. Ndungu, Joseph G. Mureithi, and Sita R. Ghimire This event is available at UKnowledge: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/23/2-6-1/6 Paper ID: 355 Theme 2. Grassland production and utilization Sub-theme 2.6. Interdependence of grassland and arable lands for sustainable cereal, forage and livestock production Identification of niches for integration of Brachiaria grasses in smallholder mixed croplivestock farming systems in Kenya Donald M.G. Njarui1*, Elias M Gichangi2, Mwangi Gatheru2, Michael N. Njunie3, Elkana Nyambati4, Keziah W Ndungu5, Joseph G. Mureithi6, Sita R Ghimire7 1 Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, Machakos, Kenya 2 Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization - Katumani, Machakos, Kenya 3 Kenya Agricultural&Livestock Research Organization - Mtwapa, Mtwapa, Kenya 4 Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization - Naivasha, Naivasha, Kenya 5 Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization - Kitale, Kitale, Kenya 6 Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization - Headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya 7 Biosciences eastern and central Africa, Nairobi, Kenya *Corresponding author e-mail: donaldnjarui@yahoo.com Keywords: Brachiaria grasses, farming systems, Kenya, production niches Introduction Inadequate quantity and quality of feed is the major constraint to livestock productivity in Kenya. Low rainfall, lack of adapted forages and poor management of sown forages are major factors that affect feed resources production. In most of the farming systems, forages are relegated to the less fertile and degraded soils resulting into poor growth. As a result the growth is poor resulting in deficient in minerals content, low crude protein (CP) and energy. The situation in exacerbated by climate variability and frequent drought. On the other hand, feed resources derived from crop residues, particularly cereals are of poor quality and not sufficient to meet animal production (Njarui and Mureithi, 2006). A research programme was initiated in 2012 to explore superior feed resources and increase availability of high quality forages to increase livestock productivity in East Africa. The program focuses on evaluation of drought and marginal soil adapted improved Brachiaria cultivars from South America. The genus Brachiaria is predominantly an African grass with about 100 species. The Brachiaria grasses are the most widely grown forages in South America (Miles et al., 2004). These grasses produce high biomass, enhance soil fertility and reduce greenhouse gas emission (Peters et al., 2012), are highly nutritious and are known to increase milk (Njarui, pers. comm.) thus suitable for different farming systems of Kenya. However, before integration of these grasses into farming systems, it was imperative to identify suitable niches suitable for growing these grasses. The knowledge gained from the study will facilitate development of suitable approaches for promoting these grasses across diverse production systems of Kenya. Materials and Methods The study was carried out in coastal lowlands, mid-altitude eastern region, central highlands and north western highlands regions of Kenya. These regions were purposively selected to reflect different farming systems. In the coastal lowlands the study covered from 03º22´S to 03º40´S and from 39o48´E and 39o12´E. In the mid-altitude eastern region it covered from 0o45´S to 1o35´S and 36º45´E and 38o30´E while in central highlands, from 0°8S’ and 0°50S’ and between 35° 13’E and 36° 42’ E. In north western highlands the study concentrated between 0o 7´N to 0o 20´N and 34o 05´E and 35o59´E. Sampling procedure: A multistage stratified sampling technique was used for selection of the sample respondents. In the first stage of sampling, 12 agro-ecological zones were identified; 3 in coastal lowlands, 2 in mid-eastern eastern region, 4 in central highlands and 3 in north western highlands. In the second stage a systematic random sampling was carried out to select farmers from list compiled by the agricultural extension officers from each agro-ecological zone. This resulted in sample sizes of 268 for coastal lowlands, 171 for mid-altitude eastern region, 132 for central highlands and 215 households for north western highlands. Information was collected from farmers using structured questionnaires. The household head or the most senior member of the household was interviewed. Information collected included types of forages grown, production niches and willingness to grow Brachiaria grasses. Data were collected through face-to-face single visit interview, discussion and observation between March and September 2013. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics. Results and Discussion Cultivation of forages: The highest proportion of farmers who have ever planted forages was in midaltitude eastern region (97.8%) followed by central highlands (76.5%) and north western highlands (69.2%). In coastal lowlands only 13.8% of farmers sampled had ever planted forages. Among farmers who cultivated forages, Rhodes grass was the most commonly cultivated (Table 1). On the other hand, Napier grass was the main fodder grown with over 95% having planted this fodder (Table 2). The niches for growing the forages were terrace banks, farm land, farm boundary and over-sowing in bush land. The most widely preferred niche for sowing pasture grasses was farmland, with 54 to 86% of farmers preferring this niche (Figure 1). The preferred niches for growing fodders were along terrace banks and farmland. Table 1: Proportions of farmers who had cultivated pasture grasses % of farmers Pasture Coastal Mid-altitude Central grasses lowlands eastern region highlands (n=0) (n=48) (n=26) Rhodes 77.1 69.2 grass Buffel grass 2.1 0 North western Mean highlands (n=119) (n=45) 88.9 79.8 8.9 4.2 Brachiaria - 8.3 0 0.0 3.4 Other -† 12.5 30.8 2.2 12.6 †No farmers reported to grow pastures Table 2: Proportion of farmers who had cultivated fodder grasses % of farmers Fodder Coastal Mid-altitude Central grasses lowlands eastern region highlands (n=23) (n=157) (n=93) Napier grass 14 98.7 100 Setaria grass 0 0.0 0 Panicum 0 0.6 0 Other 0 0.6 0 North western Mean highlands(n=144) (n=417) 95.8 2.1 0.0 2.1 98.1 0.7 0.2 1.0 Constraints to forage cultivation Lack of seeds, small land sizes, inadequate labour and limited knowledge were the key factors that limited farmers from growing forages. In the coastal lowlands and mid-altitude eastern region, majority of farmers who did not grow forages reported lack of knowledge on the management of forages as main constraint (Table 3). In the central highlands the major limitation was lack of seeds (39.3%) while in the north western highlands, it was inadequate land (31.3%). Table 3: Reasons for not planting forages in four regions of Kenya Coastal Mid-altitude Central North lowlands eastern region highlands western (n=219) (n=5) (n=28) highlands Reasons (n=48) % of farmers Lack of seeds 22.5 0.0 39.3 8.3 Land is small 17.3 0.0 21.4 31.3 Lack of labour 2.7 33.4 7.1 8.3 No idea on fodder types to 20.3 0.0 14.3 10.4 plant Inadequate knowledge 35.8 33.3 14.3 16.7 Cheap to buy feeds 1.4 0.0 3.6 0 Other 0 33.3 0.0 25.0 Mean (n=300) 19.0 26.6 8.9 11.4 16.5 1.3 16.5 Farmer’s knowledge of Brachiaria grasses: A relatively high proportion of farmers in north western highlands (61.2%) were aware about Brachiaria grasses compared with those in the other regions (1737%) (Table 4). This was mainly attributed to past research activities that promoted cultivation of Brachiaria species in the region. In coastal lowlands, mid-altitude eastern region and central highlands farmers were aware of the indigenous Brachiaria species but were not widely distributed in the region. When asked whether they would be willing to plant Brachiaria grass, virtually all farmers (93-100%) would like to plant but the area they would commit was relatively small (<0.4 ha). Most farmers preferred to grow it in farmland. This shows willingness of farmers to integrate Brachiaria grasses into their farming system. Table 4: Proportion of farmers aware of Brachiaria grasses, willingness to grow and niches for planting Brachiaria in four region of Kenya Farmers Proportion Area Preferred niches for planting (% of farmer) aware of willing to willing to Terrace Farm Farm Bushland Terrace Brachiaria grow plant Region banks land boundary bank grass (%) Brachiaria (ha) and grass (%) farmland Coastal lowlands 27.4 97.0 0.38±0.52 4.3 91.0 4.7 0 0 Mid-altitude eastern 37.4 100 0.29±0.34 22.9 69.0 0.0 2.3 5.8 region Central highlands 17.4 100 0.26±0.35 6.8 87.3 5.9 0.0 0.0 North western 61.2 93.4 0.17±0.34 6.1 83.7 9.2 1.0 0.0 highlands Conclusion Generally, a good proportion of farmers cultivate forages in mid-altitude eastern region, central highlands and north western highland except at the coastal lowlands. The most preferred niche for growing Brachiaria was in farmland. The study revealed that farmers were willing to integrate Brachiaria grasses in their farming system to alleviate feed shortage. References Miles, J.W., C. B. do, Valle, I. M. Rao and V. P. B. Euclides. 2004. Brachiaria grasses. In: L. E. Sollenberger, L. Moser, and B. Burson (eds.) Warm-season grasses. ASA-CSSA-SSSA, Madison, WI, USA (in press). Njarui, D. M. G. and J. G. Mureithi. 2006. Enhancing maize and fodder production by use of legumes in semi-arid region of eastern Kenya. In: Mureithi J G, Gachene C K K and Wamuongo J W (eds) Enhancing agricultural productivity in East Africa. Development and up-scaling of green manure legume technologies in Kenya. pp. 203-234. Peters, M., I. Rao, M. Fisher, G. Subbarao, S. Martens, M. Herrero, R. van der. Hoek, R. SchultzeKraft, J. Miles, A. Castro, S. Graefe, T. Tiemann, M. Ayarza and G. Hyman. 2012. Tropical forage-based systems to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. IN: CIAT. 2012. Eco-efficiency: From vision to reality - Issues in tropical agriculture. Cali, Colombia: CIAT. Acknowledgement We are grateful to the farmers who participated in the survey and the staffs from the Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries from survey region for their support. We extend our appreciation to the Director, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute for the support. The study is a collaborative undertaking between KALRO and BecA-ILRI and was funded by Swedish International Development Agency (Sida).