s:1937:"TI The production and marketing of leaf meal from fodder shrubs in Tanga, Tanzania: a pro-poor enterprise for improving livestock productivity 
AU Franzel, S. 
AU Wambugu, C. 
AU Nanok, T. 
AU Kavana, P. 
AU Njau, T. 
AU Aithal, A.T. 
AU Kitalyi, A. 
AU Muriuki, J.K. 
AB This study assesses the pr
oduction and marketing of 
Leucaena leucocephala
 leaf meal 
in the Tanga area of Tanzan
ia the only location in s
ub-Saharan Africa where leaf 
meal is widely marketed. Among the 5400 dairy farmers in the Tanga area about 
61% 3290 use leaf meal to feed their stal
l-fed dairy cows or chickens. The other 
main actors in the market chain are producer
s who gather leucaena leaves from the 
wild or from their farms and dry and crush them into leaf meal and traders who buy 
leaf meal and transport it to the mostly urban and peri-urban consumers. Following a 
rapid reconnaissance survey questionna
ire surveys were conducted with 28 
consumers 11 traders and 10 producers. Leaf meal is a key component of dairy 
rations as it provides crude di
gestible protein and metabolic
 energy at low cost. Retail 
prices fluctuate considerably primarily be
cause supplies are redu
ced during the rainy 
season when it is difficult to dry leaf meal
 and when many producers prefer to work 
on their farms. Marketing leaf meal is highly competitive there are few barriers to 
entry and returns appear to be relatively low. Propos
als for expanding the industry 
and improving the livelihoods of producers 
who are mostly poor women and traders 
who are mainly poor men focus on impr
oved technologies (improved drying and 
compressing techniques) institutional innovations (trader associations and expanded 
price information) and improved policies 
and extension strategies (exchanging 
information with Asian leaf 
meal producers and developi
ng a cross-sectoral advocacy 
group to mobilize resources and support system improvements). 
";