The successful adoption of fodder production in Kenya depends to a large extent on the availability of high quality planting materials (seed and seedlings). The supply of planting materials should be at the right time, place and appropriate quantities. Seed supply in some parts of the country is a problem because most farmers cut all the fodder shrubs to feed their dairy animals so as to improve milk yields and quality. Most farmers have small pieces of land that have to be well planned and utilized to cater for their zero- grazing dairy cows and goats. This has necessitated the need to encourage farmers to optimize the use of available land by planting fodder shrubs together with other food crops. Now, the major challenge is to obtain quality planting material. Fodder shrubs are being adopted by farmers throughout the East African region thus increasing the demand for seed in recent years. To meet this demand, several farmers have started to grow fodder shrubs specifi cally for seed production. With the introduction of seed into the formal market there is a need to develop organised market channels to maximize profi ts to the farmers.
Tahun publikasi
2006
Penulis
Bahasa
English
Kata kunci
agricultural products, fodder, income, partnerships
Geografis
Kenya
