Production and utilization of crop residues for ruminant feeding in Aliero Lga Of Kebbi State, Nigeria

Abstract

An investigation of the production and utilization of crop residues for ruminant feeding in five villages within Aliero Local Government Area of Kebbi State was carried out using a structured questioner which was administered to 75 respondents. The data collected was analyzed by using simple statistical tool such as frequency distribution and percentage. The study revealed that 47.95% of the respondents were farmers with more than half (52.41%) had 5-8 members in their family. Mixed farming is common to all the respondents with cereal and legumes crops combination alongside with cattle, sheep, and goats rearing. Some crop residues such as maize stover, rice straw, etc are available all year round since they are generated both at rainy and dry season in the study area. Maize/sorghum/millet stovers and groundnut/cowpea straws plays a major part in ruminant feeding in the study area. The level of cultivation, production and utilization of crop residues as observed in this study depends on the land size, season of production and flock size amongst others. Most of the respondents (39.74%) source their crop residues from self-production and the type of crop residues are those from groundnut/cowpea straws, maize/millet/sorghum stovers and rice straws. The present study revealed the potential of crop residues not only as ruminant feeding but also as a means of livelihood among the respondents.

Keywords: Production, Utilization, Crop residues, Livestock.