The central highlands of Kenya are characterized by small land holdings. As the size of land holdings continues to decline due to subdivisions, most livestock feeds will have to come from cropped land. Research on fodder shrubs started in Kenya in the 1990s, initially by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Kenya Agriculture Research Institute (KARI). The first on-farm trials in Embu area were initiated by the National Agroforestry Research project (NAFRP), a project jointly managed by KARI, the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) (Franzel et al, 2002). ICRAF together with partner institutions actively introduced fodder shrub technologies with the aim of alleviating feed shortage through the Systemwide Livestock Project (SLP) in 1998. By the end of 2000 SLP had assisted 150 self-help groups to establish 250 tree nurseries through collective action in Nyeri, Kirinyanga, Maragwa, Meru Central, Meru South and Murang’a Districts.
Publication year
2006
Authors
Language
English
Keywords
agricultural extension, agricultural research, dairy farms, fodder, smallholders
Geographic
Kenya
