Diriba Geleta (EIAR) FAP Symposium on Feed in Smallholder Systems, Luang Prabang, Laos, 18-19 November 2010

1. Where do Different Feed Options Fit - Biophysical niches in Ethiopia DiribaGeleta (EIAR) FAP Symposium on Feed in Smallholder Systems , LuangPrabang, Laos, 18-19 November 2010

3. Feed shortage and poor quality of available feeds is the major constraints.

6. Species for mediumaltitude Chlorisgayana (sole pasture, mixed pasture with stylosanthes guianensis and Siratro) Pennisetumpurpureum (backyard fodder for cut and carry, forage strips as fodder and erosion control , on irrigation canals for cut and carry fodder) Desmodium species (undersowing in maize, backyard as protein supplement, in mixed stand with Rhodes and Panicum) Stylosanthes guianensis (undersowing in maize, fodder bank as source of protein)

7. Species for Medium… Macroptiliumtropurpureum (as component in Rhodes pasture) Sesbaniasesban (backyard fodder as protein source, integrated with coffee plants) Leucaenaspp (backyard fodder as protein source, alley cropped with sorghum or maize)

8. Species for low altitude Panicumantidotale (best under irrigated condition) Lablab purpureus (intercropped with sorghum and maize) Cow pea (as food-feed crop, intercropped with maize or sorghum) Stylosanthes guianensis (over sown in natural pasture) Leucaenaspp (backyard fodder as protein source, alley cropped in sorghum or maize fields )

10. Mismatch between species and appropriate niches

11. Lack of quality forage seeds

14. Forage development efforts should be harnessed with improvement of livestock commodities