Shrub and grass fodder from an agroforestry system in western Kenya

Livestock production is an integral part of all land use systems in the highlands of western Kenya. Due to challenges associated with increases in human population densities since early in the 20th century, farmers have shifted their livestock management practices from tethering and herding on communal and fallow land to zero-grazing, the most intensive livestock production system involving the cut-and-carry method. Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), the major livestock feed supplying the zero-grazing units in the region is low in protein content and fluctuates in biomass production across seasons and overtime. Tropical legume shrub forages such as Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala and Calliandra (calliandra calothyrsus) are popular among small-scale livestock owners, are rich in protein and minerals, and remain productive for longer periods of time. Previous research on fodder production systems has shown that shrub and grass species established as shrub-grass mixtures result in significant increases in biomass yields compared to pure stands.