developing site specific feed plans using the feed assessment tool (feast)
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The FEAST template
Bernard A. Lukuyu1, Alan Duncan2, Isabelle Baltenweck1 and Emmanuel Kinuthia1
1International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 30709-00100, Nairobi, Kenya 2International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Presented at the 13th KARI Biennial Scientific Conference, 22-26 October 2012, Nairobi, Kenya
The problem Dairy production is rapidly developing in East Africa, but smallholder farmers are often faced with the
challenge of inadequate feed resources especially in the dry season.
Conventionally, feed assessments focus on the types of feeds, their nutritive value and ways of improving nutritive value. The demand side is often overlooked when planning feeds and feeding interventions.
Why FEAST? It broadens feed assessment to cover:
o the importance of livestock as a livelihood strategy; o the importance of feed problems relative to other problems; o key factors such as labour, input availability, credit, seasonality and
markets for products. It identifies feed gaps and improves targeting of feed-related solutions
How does it work?
Livestock holdings of the farmers in tropical livestock units (TLU) Shows whether livestock
is an important source of income
Shows the various sources of household income
Shows the percentage contribution of various sources of income
Sample outputs
Displays annual distribution of rainfall in the area
Shows seasonal available feed resources throughout the year
Shows quantities of purchased feed over 12 months
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Ava
ilab
ility
Available Feed Resources
Concentrates Crop residues Grazing Green forage
Legume residues RHODES HAY SILAGE Rainfall Pattern
Feed availability
Shows crops grown Shows fodder crops grown Shows the various feed
resources that contribute to dry matter (DM) content, crude protein and metabolizable energy
Final report FEAST report with some ideas for
key problems and solutions Better links and understanding
between farmers, research and development staff
Dietary composition
• Overview of farming system and livestock feed aspect
• Milk marketing, veterinary services
• Major problems for livestock production
1. Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA)
• Quantitative information on crop-livestock production, feed availability and feeding rations
• Qualitative information: perception on feed quality
2. Individual farmer survey
• Stakeholder write-shops to enter data in FEAST template and summarize PRA findings
• Based on result, jointly develop ideas for intervention and implementation plans
3. Participatory data analysis and developing interventions