By: FAJEMISIN A. N.;
Abstract:
This study was conducted to evaluate traditional silvopastoral systems and farmers’ indigenous knowledge of fodder trees/shrubs and the criteria used for screening trees for fodder in the Savanna regions of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Silvopastoral survey was conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire and semi-structured questionnaire administered to 160 farmers. Farmers were also asked to rank their ten most important fodder tree species in order of importance through the method of tree matrix. A total of 160 Silvopastoralists with profound knowledge of fodder trees/shrubs were interviewed, of which 88% were males and 12% were females. The results of the t-test show a significant difference (P<0.05) in gender distribution among the respondents. The results of the one-way analysis of variance indicate the presence of significant differences (p<0.05) in age distribution of the respondents. Forty-Eight (48%) of farmers were in the age group 41 years and above, 40% are between 31-40 years, and the least (12%) represented age group was 21-30 years. The top eight most preferred species include: Ficus thonningii, Vitellaria paradoxa, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Prosopis africana, Khaya senegalensis, Entada africana, Piliostigma thonningii and Annona senegalensis. The most frequently mentioned criteria were the ability of the fodder to satisfy hunger, contributions to animal health, palatability and drought resistance of the tree. The study has provided important information from farmers for setting priorities of indigenous fodder trees/shrubs that can be optimized in range resources management for sustainable animal production in the savanna area of Adamawa State and Nigeria at large.
Keywords: Browse, Indigenous knowledge, Silvopastoral system, Traditional
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