The FEAST template
Lukuyu B.A1, Duncan A2, and Dror I1 1International Livestock Research Institute, P.O Box 30709 00100, Nairobi Kenya, 2International Livestock Research Institute, P.O Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The problem
Dairy production is rapidly developing in Sub Saharan Africa, but smallholder farmers are frequently being faced by the challenge of inadequate feed resources especially in the dry season.
Conventionally feed assessments focuses on the types of feeds, their nutritive value and ways of improving nutritive value. The demand side is often overlooked when planning feeds and feeding interventions.
Why FEAST?
It broadens assessment to look at:
Is livestock an important livelihood strategy?
How important are feed problems relative to other problems?
What about labour, input availability, credit, seasonality, markets for products etc.?
Identifies feed gaps and provides some ideas for key problems and solutions
How does it work
Livestock holdings of the farmers (TLU)
Final report
Shows whether livestock is an important source of income
Shows the various sources of households’ income
Indicates the percentage contribution of various income sources
Sample outputs
Displays annual distribution of rainfall in the area
Shows seasonal available feed resources throughout the year
Shows quantities of purchased feed over a 12 months period
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Availablity
Available Feed Resources
Concentrates
Crop residues
Grazing
Green forage
Legume residues
RHODES HAY
SILAGE
Rainfall Pattern
Feed availability
Shows crops grown
Shows fodder crops grown
Shows the various feed resources that contribute to dry matter (DM) content, crude protein (CP) and Metabolizable energy (ME)
Feast report with some ideas for key problems and solutions
Better links and understanding between farmers, research and development staff
Dietary composition
•Overview of farming system and livestock feed aspect
•Milk marketing, veterinary services
•Major problems for livestock production
1. PRA Exercise
•Quantitative information on crop- livestock production, feed availability, feeding rations
•Qualitative information - perception on feed quality
2. Individual farmer survey
•Stakeholder write-shops to enter data in FEAST template and summarize PRA findings
•Based on result jointly develop ideas for intervention and implementation plans
3. Participatory data analysis and developing interventions