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

To estimate the productivity of introduced
forage species, a survey w-s nade on-farm. The
preliminary results on Tripsacum (Table 11)
showed that one hecLare of this forage species
yielded more than 64 tonnes of green matter
which was estimated at about 9.6 tonnes DMAa.
Calculations indicate that this quantity would be
sufficient to feed, over a period ofone year, a herd
consisting of one cow weighing 370 kg, ono heifer
weighing 220 kg and a calf weighing 60 kg.
Coincidentally, this herd composition corresponds
to that owned by the majority of the
participating farmers,
Table 11. Green matter yield of Tripsacum
laxum (L/ha).
Number
of cuts
Age at
forage
cut
(months)
Mean
(t.ha)
10 First 12 32.55
10 Second 18 31.96
Total 64.51
Traditional milk technology
Traditionally, Burundese farmers milk cows in
the morning and in the evening. The morning's
collection is sold through the markets while the
evening milk is bulked in batches for three to
four days. The bulked milk sours which makes it
ideal for churning. A survey showed that
churning is done in 10- to 15-litre containers for
45 minutes, sufficient time for effective separation
of skimmed milk from butter. The extraction
rate is about 4.9% (Table 12).
Table 12. Characteristics of traditional milk
churningpractices.
Mean Churning
Number of milk time Butter
Observations quan#ity (minutes) yield
(I) (9)
13 6.8 46 331
During the course of the project, samples of
cow milk from peasant farms were taken and
analysed. The results show that the fresh milk
was contaminated with microbes. The presence
of E. coli, salmonella and putrid microbes was
detected. The next phase of the project will look
into the improvement of hygienic production and
handling of the milk.
Lessons learned
Given that the Sahiwal cow is originally a
subtropical breed (Pakistan), under normal
49
circumstaaces it can adapt to the Burundese
environment without significant difficulties. The
research confirmed that it is possible to keep
improved Sahiwal and Ankole crosses on-farm
and that the farmers accept the technologies
required to create a favourable environment for
the improved animal.
The package of improved technologies for the
Sahiwal cattle (feed production, simple shed and
harnessing of manure) appeared to be
appropriate for the smallholders as they
accepted and adopted the technologies. Probably
the main incentives were the the probability of
increased availability of milk for sale and home
consumption and improved crop production
enhanced oy farm-yard manure. Acomparison of
production parameters such as milk yield,
liveweight and forage production showed that
the farmers were more productive than the
government farms. This performance was a
pointer to the keenness of farmers. tL tentative
economic analysis was made; the gross income
Tom a one cow unit was estimated at FBU
182,900 (Table 13) which is equivalent to US$
750. This is above the ratio'.ial per capita income
of US$ 250. Significant income was generated
through increased potato production after the
application of manure.
Table 13. Estimated income of livestock
producis in tho peasant farm.
Yearly
yield
Value In
FBU
Potatoes
(response to
manure)(kg)
2990 104,650
Milk(kg) 1055 52,750
Steer (kg) 170 25,500
Total gross Income 182,900
Although farmers produced forage feeds
on-farm, the herbage did not provide sufficient
quantities of metabolisable energy and protein
and consequently some supplementa.-y oil cakes
had to be given.
To assess the profitability of the improved
technologies package an economic analysis is
expected to be conducted in 1994-95, when
sufficient data will be available. Given the
income-generating potential of the scheme
peasants sbould be in a position to ask for beak
credit to improve housing, watering and other
farm facilities. Fortunatey, in Burundi there is
a bank which provides tthis type of credit.
Besides the improvt,. income, participating
farmers also had access to protein rich milk.
However, a specific study on the benefits to
human nutrition of the increased availability of
dairy by-products has not been made. What
cannot be disputed, and is evident, are the social
benefits and subsequent improvement of