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The Role of Alley Farming in African Livestock Production

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  • Reynolds, Len
  • Jabbar, Mohammad A.

Abstract

The incorporation of livestock into alley farming systems, in which food or forage crops are grown between hedges of multipurpose trees that are regularly pruned for mulch and/or forage, has been studied for over 10 years in Africa. Prunings from leguminous trees such as Leucaena and Gliricidia can be used for mulch, increasing crop yields, but the trees may also be pruned for fodder, especially during fallow periods. The major benefit from supplementing the diet of free-roaming small ruminants in West Africa with the foliage of leguminous trees is increased survival, and the forage is best directed at late pregnant and lactating females. In East Africa crossbred dairy cows show a significant response in milk production to supplementation with Leucaena. Economic analyses of livestock production show that continuous alley farming is more profitable than alley farming with fallow, or conventional no-tree farming, even when the cost of clearing trees at the end of their useful life is included.

Suggested Citation

  • Reynolds, Len & Jabbar, Mohammad A., 1994. "The Role of Alley Farming in African Livestock Production," Research Reports 183017, International Livestock Research Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ilrirr:183017
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.183017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ehui, S. K. & Kang, B. T. & Spencer, D. S. C., 1990. "Economic analysis of soil erosion effects in alley cropping, no-till and bush fallow systems in South Western Nigeria," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 349-368.
    2. Okali, C. & Sumberg, J. E., 1985. "Sheep and goats, men and women: Household relations and small ruminant development in southwest Nigeria," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 39-59.
    3. Atta-Krah, A. N. & Francis, P. A., 1987. "The role of on-farm trails in the evaluation of composite technologies: The case of alley farming in Southern Nigeria," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 23(2), pages 133-152.
    4. Ngambeki, Dezi S., 1985. "Economic evaluation of alley cropping leucaena with Maize-Maize and Maize-Cowpea in Southern Nigeria," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 17(4), pages 243-258.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jabbar, Mohammad A. & Reynolds, L & Larbi, A & Smith, J W, 1997. "Nutritional And Economic Benefits Of Leucaena And Gliricidia As Feed Supplements For Small Ruminants In Humid West Africa," Research Reports 183009, International Livestock Research Institute.
    2. Lapar, Ma. Lucila A. & Ehui, Simeon K., 2004. "Factors affecting adoption of dual-purpose forages in the Philippine uplands," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 81(2), pages 95-114, August.

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