1. Enhancing the contribution of maize to food
and fodder security in smallholder dairy
production systems
1
Kabirizi, J.; 2
Nampijja, Z. and 1
Kigongo, J.
1
National Livestock Resources Research Institute,
Uganda; 2
Makerere University, Uganda

2. Introduction
 Inadequate year-round feed supply is a major
challenge in smallholder dairy (SHD) systems in
Uganda,
 Napier grass productivity, a major feed resource
in SHD systems is constrained by Napier stunt
disease resulting into a reduction in fodder yield
of >40%.
 Maize is a major cereal and cash crop in SH
systems.

3. Introduction (cont.)
 Maize stover could be an additional feed resource
base in SHD systems.
 The low CP content (<5%) of maize stover is a
serious constraint to livestock nutrition (Mwebaze,
1996).
 Integration of forage legumes into maize cropping
systems improves stover and grain yield (Mpairwe
1998)

4. Study objectives
1. Determine the effects of intercropping maize
with Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai on maize
grain yield.
2. Determine the effects of intercropping maize
with Lablab purpureus cv. Rongai on stover dry
matter yield and quality.

5. Materials and Methods
Study site: Kitenga village, Masaka district
Target group: 12 smallholder dairy farmers
Establishment of experimental fields
0.2ha of maize-lablab intercrop (ML) and 0.2 ha of
maize monocrop (MC) planted on the same farm
Data collection
Stover yield (Humphreys, 2001)
Chemical composition (A.O.A.C, 2001)
Data analysis: SAS (2001) for a RCBD

6. Results and Discussion
 Maize grain yields and cob size increased
(p<0.05) by 7 and 6%, respectively while stover
DM yield reduced (p<0.05) by 5% in maize-lablab
intercrops (Table 1).
 Crude protein content of fodder from ML was 1.9
times higher (p>0.05) in intercrops than
monocrops (4.0% CP) (Table 2).
 Intercropping maize with lablab reduced (p<0.05)
NDF but increased (p<0.05) P; Ca; IVOMD and

7. Parameter
Cropping system
Intercrop Monocrop LSD
Lablab fodder DM yield
(kg/ha/yr) 1321 - -
Stover DM yield (kg/ha/yr) 4166b
4373a
200.6
Total fodder DM yield
(kg/ha/yr)
5487a
4373b
174.7
Mean weight of cobs
(g/cob)
142a
134b
4.2
Grain yield (kg/ha/yr) 3115a
2912b
136.1
Table 1: Effect of intercropping maize with lablab on
grain and fodder dry matter yield
LSD=Least Significant Difference
ab
Least square means within a row followed by superscripts differ
(p<0.05)

8. Parameter
(% DM basis)
MS from
monocrop
ML stover LSD
Dry matter 49.8 49.2 1.83
Crude protein 4.0b
7.7a
0.22
Crude protein yield
(kg/ha/year)
180b
432.0a
36.84
Ash 9.2 9.3 0.43
NDF 62.5a
60.8b
1.46
Calcium 0.33b
0.39a
0.02
Phosphorus 0.44 b
0.50a
0.02
IVOMD 55.2b
58.8a
0.87
#ME (MJ/kg DM) 8.6b
9.0a
0.13
Table 2: Effects of maize-lablab intercropping
on chemical composition of fodder
# Calculated ME = 0.15*IVOMD (Close and Menke, 1986); MS=Maize stover;
ML= Maize/lablab stover; ab
Least square means within a row followed by different
superscripts differ (p<0.05)

9. Conclusions
 Intercropping maize with forage legumes
increases quantity and nutritive value of the stover
and grain yield.
 Crude protein yield & ME of feeds from the
intercrops were not adequate to meet the
nutritional requirements of crossbred lactating
dairy cattle.

10. Recommendations
 Dairy cattle fed on forages from maize-Legume
intercropping systems must be supplemented with
other sources of protein and energy to meet the
nutritional requirements of lactating cows.

11. Proposed research activities
Assess the effects of staggering planting dates on
maize grain and stover yield and;
Evaluate the performance of crossbred cows fed
forages from maize-forage legume intercropping
systems supplemented with legume hay and a
homemade concentrate.

12. Acknowledgements
The World Bank
ASARECA
NARO
NaLIRRI
EAAPP (U)
RDCoE-KARI
Research team members

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