TEF [Eragrostis tef Zucc. Trotter]: A Valuable Food and Feed Resource

Tef (Eragrostis tef Zucc. Trotter) is a cereal endemic to Ethiopia that is gaining international importance. It is emerging as a health crop of high nutritional value after the recognition that the grain is gluten free and suited to gluten intolerant people. It is gaining attention as a forage crop with diverse ecological adaptation. Tef straw is a more nutritious feed relative to other cereal crop residues. It is preferentially fed to selected livestock in Ethiopia. Readily available information on Tef is limited despite the forgoing benefits. This is especially the case regarding Tef straw as feed. This book reviews the importance and improvement work on Tef as human food, Tef forage and straw as animal feed. Major emphasis is on the straw in terms of availability as feed, feeding value, limitations and options to improve its utilization and feeding value. Implications of recent attention on Tef are also reviewed and recommendations for future action made. This book is believed to contribute to satisfying the ever growing urge for assembled information on Tef and provoke thoughts and action towards improvement and tapping of the potential behind this crop.