IntroductionFeed unavailability is a major challenge to livestock production in the Kenyan arid and semi-arid lands mainly occasioned by extensive land degradation.
Implemetation Details
Four grass species,
- Cenchrus ciliaris,
- Chloris roxburghiana,
- Eragrostis superb,
- Enteropogon macrostachyus,
were identified by KALRO as suitable grasses for forage production and have been promoted for hay production and rehabilitation of degraded rangelands.
Increased sensitization of communities in ASALs and devolution of agricultural extension service has led to increased County demand for grass seed in large quantities for the promotion of rehabilitation. European Union through Kenya Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (KASAL) and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Agricultural Productivity Research Project (ASAL APRP) supported initiatives to address seed shortage through (1) development of community-based rangeland grass seed bulking and (2) capacity building of KALRO Kiboko Centre to produce rangeland grass seeds. However, the initiatives are still unable to meet the ever-increasing demand.
Thus the project’s target activities include seed bulking of the KALRO-identified grass species and multiplying the community-based informal grass seed bulking systems and increasing the acreage under range rehabilitation.
