aistand south~ern afrkca - (PDF, 101 mb) - USAID

ofmalnutrition in some sectors ofthe population,
particularly for children, pregnant women and
breast-feeding mothers.
Besides nutritional considerations the
massive translocation of livestock from the
target area created a number of problems for
inhabitants which included the following:
" farm operations and village transport were
affected as oxen and donkeys were removed
from the area
" crop productivity was reduced due to lack of
farm power, manure and the lack of animals
for sale to generate funds for the purchase of
inputs such as inorganic fertilisers
" poverty level of the villagers increased due to
the high mortality rate3 of animals moved
into new areas where East Coast fever and
trypanosomiasis were endemic and
supervision was difficult
" the traditional functions that made use of
animals (e.g. rituals, bride price and
circumcision ceremonies) were undermined
" separation of livestock from the farmers
created social and psychological problems
" livestock density in the areas where the
animals were shifted to increased, thus the
soil degradation problems became evident in
new areas.
HADO project-related
opportunities and achievements
Over a period of time tha regeneration of vegetation
cover took place and arrested ecological
derradation in the affected areas. As vegetation
increased and soil erosion was reduced the
gullies were covered with vegetation. Additionally
through the programme, agricultural
activities have been diversified, e.g. introduction
of intensively managed new crops such
as tomatoes. The labour which was traditionally
tied to herding cattle was freed and available for
other activities. Similarly, land which was
grazed communally was allocated to arable
cropping. Probably the most important achievement
remained the sensitisation of inhabitants
to soil conservation. Furthermore, the planted
trees provided wood and reduced the burden of
wood collection by women,
Re-introduction of livestock to the
closed areas
In addressing the negative aspects associated
with total eviction of livestock in the eroded
areas, HADO officials saw the necessity of some
form of livestock keeping(to provide protein-rich
foods and a source of income) in the area after
the land had regenerated. In 1988, the Livestock
Production Research Institute (LPRI),
Mpwapwa, was asked to look into the poesibilities
of re-introducing livestock in the closed
areas and to initiate a sustainable production
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system that would not lead to land degradation,
avoiding the traditional and indiscriminate
grazing system.
As it is generally accepted that attempts to
restrict herd size under traditional extensive
grazing systems would not have been possible,
some form of restricted grazing and/or
stall-feeding (zero-grazing) was judged to be the
only reasonable alternative.
-Hence, a project on "Development of feeding
and management systems for stall-fed improved
dairy cows on smallholdings in the HADO areas"
was proposed, with financial support from the
Swedish Agency for Research Cooperation with
Developing thsPoetwsoinrdcadmntr Countries (SAREC). The main aim
wh
of
this Project was to introduce and monitor growth
and milk production of crossbreds and zebu
cattle in a zero-grazing system in the proscribed
areas. It was also intendcd to assess the
availability of feeds; and to test, develop and
recommend appropriate, simple and cheap
methods of supplementary feeding to improve
the utilisation of low quality roughages (hay and
crop residues). The development of feeding
packages for the wet and dry seasons was also to
be considered.
There were several important benefits
associated with the adoption of a zero-grazing
sys.em, as compared to extensive grazing (Ogle,
1990) both in the context ofsoil conservation and
fertility and in relation to livestock productivity
aid efficiency of feed utilisation.
Considerable amounts of energy are
e,pended by grazing anima-_ in their search for
food and water; this activity has the disadvantage
ofreducing efficiency in productivity.
In extensive grazing systems the time available
for grazing is always limited by herding hours,
therefore feed intake is likely to be less than in
a stall-feeding system. In a zero-grazing system
it is possible to balance the various components
of a diet so that feed is utilised wiih optimum
efficiency. Animals kept in the shade throughout
the day are protected from direct sunlight and
therefore stffer less from heat stress. Iz
addition, while animals are in confinement the
exposure to parasites and disease vectors is
reduced. Stall-feeding also expedites the
collection of farmyard manure and therefore
enhances the improvement of soil fertility and
organic-matter content and ultimately improves
crop production.
In order to ensure the success of the project a
het of pre-conditions were developed to be
fulfilled by farmers to enable them to qualify to
keep livestock in closed areas. The prerequisites
were based on previous experiences and on the
adherence to the objectives of promoting water
and soil conserv.,Lion. The set package of
conditions for re-introduction of cattle in the
conservation areas included:
* animals should be restricted within a 50-m
radius of the household or 8hed