Proceedings of a workshop on research methodologies Medan ...

to the onset <strong>of</strong> the dry season. The new shoot will grow and produce young
and succulent green feeds during the dry season.
" Farmers will lop the lowest branch first, and move up the shrub or tree.
Lopping stops when 2 13 <strong>of</strong> the canopy has been cut; a time when new bud
primordia have developed on the lower branches. When lopping is carried out
twice a year, the second lopping is carried out on the remaining / <strong>of</strong> the
canopy. Using this method, the shrubs and trees will not grow upward, but form
a compact canopy with many smaller branches that will increase leaf production
although in detriment <strong>of</strong> production <strong>of</strong> larger firewood branches. This
reduces branch wood used as firewood but increases leaf canopy.
" When stall feeding, farmers will hang branches upside down. This practice
allows the young goats or sheep to eat the younger leaves hanging close to the
ground, while the older animals will eat the older leaves outside the reach <strong>of</strong>
kids/lambs.
MAJOR CONSTRAINTS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
In integrating fodder shrubs and trees as forage for small ruminants in a smallholder
plantation, the following constraints merit special attention (Nitis et al., 1990):
" Data on the adaptability <strong>of</strong> the fodder that can be integrated with plantation
crops are not readily available. The role <strong>of</strong> present networks and their
newsletters could be decisive in the dissemination <strong>of</strong> information on fodder shrub
and tree species that are adapted to plantation situations.
" Some fodder seeds and cuttings are not only difficult to acquire but are also
expensive. Government and other organizations should establish demonsLration
plots that act as nurseries to supply seeds and cuttings for plantation farmers.
" The land size <strong>of</strong> smallholder plantations is relatively small and it is not
specifically allocated to produce forage for livestock. Therefore, the forage
available is insufficient to sustain optimum levels <strong>of</strong> livestock production. Using
highly productive cultivars for more intensive forage integration, strategic
defoliation, and fodder/forage ccnservation could increase the fodder supply
without requiring additional land.
* Few smallholder farmers grow grass and (or) ground legumes as forages under
their plantation crops. However, they grow fodder shrubs and trees as shade,
to support climbers as protection for plantation crops. Commercial enterprises,
on the other hand, usually grow legumes as green manure but not as
forage. Demonstration plots should be established in farmer-owned fields, so
that smallholder farmers can appreciate the importance <strong>of</strong> good fodder crops
not only as shade and for climbers, but also as a source <strong>of</strong> feed for livestock.
" In large scale plantation cropping, the main crops render high pr<strong>of</strong>its;
therefore, secondary activities such as growing fodder and keeping small
ruminants do not interest plantation owners. Demonstration plots should be
established to show mutually beneficial aspects <strong>of</strong> integration in particular
improvement in soil fertility and in plantation crop yields.
" In the smallholder plantation, most routine work is carried out by family
labor. Plantation work is carried out by the older members <strong>of</strong> the family, while
livestock is tended by housewives and younger family members. Therefore,
training should selectively focus on the role <strong>of</strong> different members <strong>of</strong> the
family.
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