Evaluation of Cactus (Opuntia Ficus-Indica) And Prosopis Juliflora as Potential Supplementary Feed Resources for Livestock In Drought-Prone Areas of Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine plausible pathways to combat feed scarcity and quality in dry lands using locally available and under-utilized feed resources. Baringo, Laikipia and Nyeri counties were purposefully selected for this study due to the prevalence of Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) and Prosopis juliflora as potential drought-tolerant forage species. Structured questionnaires were administered to 317 households using multi-stage sampling techniques to quantify the vulnerability of pastoral livestock production systems to climate change and their coping strategies. Proximate analytical techniques were used in evaluation of nutrient content of Cactus (O. ficus indica) and P. juliflora using on-farm forage sampling and randomized block design feeding trials. Red Maasai weaner lambs were blocked on the basis of body weight and physiological condition. The treatment diets were proportionally determined combinations of under-utilized potential forage resources as follows: (T1) 100% Cenchrus ciliaris grass hay as basal diet (control), (T2) 80% C. ciliaris hay + 20% wilted Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) fodder (T3) 50% C. ciliaris hay + 20% Cactus (O. ficus indica) + 30% Prosopis juliflora leaf meal (T4) 50% C. ciliaris hay + 20% Cactus (O. ficus indica) fodder + 30% P. juliflora pods meal. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) methods were used to isolate significant treatment effects on Cactus (O. ficus indica) and P. juliflora forage samples and rations. The influence of socio-economic factors on adoption of improved climate change adaptation technologies were assessed by means of Chi-square analysis. Results of this study indicated that change of livestock species was a widely adopted technology of reducing vulnerability of livestock production enterprises to climate risks (46%). The most preferred coping strategies in the event of floods or droughts were migration (37%), purchase of conserved feeds (17%) and livestock off-take (14%). Gender segregated, age and education level (p<0.001) influenced the adoption of improved climate change adaptation technologies. Significant (p<0.001) crude protein (CP) content (14.9%) was observed in young spiny and spineless Cactus cladodes. Highest CP content (26%) was associated with young shoots of P. juliflora. Ripe fruits of Cactus (O. ficus indica) had (p<0.001) higher nitrogen free extracts (NFE) (39.6%) content as compared to other plant parts. Sheep that received T4 rations recorded the highest in vivo and in vitro nutrient digestibility (78 and 63% respectively). Faecal output was positively correlated to DM intake (r2=0.88, p<0.001), in vivo (r2=0.87, p<0.001) and in vitro feed degradability (r2=0.87, p<0.001). Faecal Nitrogen was negatively correlated (r2= -0.64, p<0.001) to these values. Research evidence from this study points to the need for tailoring livestock feeding practices in dry areas to take into consideration socio-economic factors (literacy levels, gender and age) to enhance the capacity of the farmers to benefit from the existing improved forage varieties and livestock feed supplementation options. The high CP levels of Cactus (O. ficus indica) young cladodes and fruits, and P. juliflora young shoots and pods authenticate their value as under-utilized drought-tolerant supplementary forages for livestock in the truncated landscapes of Kenya.