Utilization of local trees and shrubs for sustainable livestock production in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region of Ghana

T Ansah and D A Nagbila

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies P.O. Box 1350, Tamale
ansahterry@yahoo.com

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the indigenous knowledge of livestock farmers in the utilization of local trees and shrubs for feeding and meeting the health needs of livestock in the Talensi-Nabdan District during the periods of December 2005 to January 2006. Eighty (80) households from eight (8) communities were selected for the study.  Data was collected through the use of semi-structured questionnaire and observation. In all 31 species of trees and shrubs were used by farmers in feeding and medication of livestock.

Acacia albida, Ficus gnaphalocarpa and Mangifera indica were the trees most used for feeding whilst Ceiba pentandra, Cactus spp, Vetex doninana, Boscia sengalensis, Securitaca longepedunculata, Acacia niloticass, Khaya senegalensis and Vitellaria paradoxa were used mostly for treating different ailments in animals. Efforts at conserving these trees and shrubs were encouraging since 66.25% of the respondents established and managed some of these trees and shrubs around their homes for livestock feeding and other multi-purpose use. In conclusion, farmers had adequate knowledge in the use for trees and shrub as feed and medication for livestock. More farmers should be encouraged to cultivate these trees and shrubs to avoid extinction of palatable trees for sustainable use. 

Key words: Feeding, Indigenous knowledge, Multi-purpose trees, Medication, Tree conservation

Introduction

Livestock production is an important feature of Ghanaian agriculture and constitutes a major national resource. Livestock contribute 7-9% of the national agricultural gross domestic product (GDP) and provides 30% of domestic meat supply. It provides draft power and generates income. Livestock is an important source of food and income for millions of people. For many, animals are a source of income, food, clothing and labour. For example in the Northern Regions of Ghana, livestock serve as buffer against food shortages, provide cash security and play an important role in their socio-cultural activities (Awuni 2003). Northern Ghana is said to carry about 75% and 45% of the national herds of cattle and small ruminants respectively (Koney 1992).

However, the development of the livestock industry to optimal level in many developing countries continues to face several setbacks. Among these impediments are irregular availability of feed and water and occasional shortage of basic but important drugs and inadequate extension and veterinary personnel. Of these, animal nutrition (feed) particularly during the dry season and animal health (medication) has been identified as major factors that cripple the traditional and modern livestock production in Ghana (Koney 1992).

The rainfall pattern in Northern Ghana is unimodal. The Northern and Coastal savannas constitute the major livestock production areas in Ghana. These areas are characterized by a dry season of about 4-5 months duration every year when there is a drastic decline in both quality and quantity of grasses (Otchere et al 2002). Animals normally put on weight during the rainy season because during the dry season, animals only have straw from grass, which are poor in quality and may result in avitaminoses, mineral deficiency and severe debilitation. A study conducted by Ghanaian-German Agricultural Development project in Northern and Upper regions revealed that the natural grasslands can hardly be said to be productive. They are unable to support the dietary requirements of our indigenous animal because the grasses are too fibrous and dry matter yield too low during the dry season. They indicated that Ghanaian pastures are predominantly grasses with few or no legumes to provide nitrogen and therefore to raise the nutritional status of the pastures, farmers should utilize browse or fodder trees and shrubs during the second half of the dry season (Agricultural Extension handbook 1977). According to Komwihangilo et al (1995), trees and shrubs are of value in agriculture as they have been used to feed as well as to meet the health needs of animals through the ages in the world’s arid and semi-arid areas. Their roles become more important as the dry season becomes longer with decreasing mean annual rainfall.

It is in view of the above that this study is being carried out to access the indigenous knowledge in the utilization of local trees and shrubs by livestock farmers in the area of feeding and health in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East Region. 

Specific objectives

• To identify the local trees and shrub species used in feeding livestock

• Determine the medicinal uses of these indigenous multi-purpose trees and shrubs in livestock production.

Materials and methods

Study area

The study was carried out between December 2005 and January 2006 in the Talensi-Nabdam District of the Upper East region of Ghana. The major inhabitants of the study area are the Talensi and Nabdams. The vegetation of the study area is characterized by grass and scattered trees of different kinds such as baobab (Adansonia digitata), Neem (Azadirachata indicia), Shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa), Acacia spp, Dawadawa (Parkia biglobosa) etc.

Most of the areas and farmlands in the district are occupied with rocks hence the low economic potential of the study area. The area experiences unimodal type of rainfall lasting from May to September. The average monthly temperature is about 30.⁰C with maximum of 42.⁰C in March and a minimum of 18.⁰C.

Source of data

Primary and secondary data were used in this study. The primary data were collected using semi structured questionnaire and personal observation. The secondary data was mainly from the UDS library and District forestry commission, Bolgatanga. The trees and shrubs were identified and named in the local language. Samples of the trees and shrub were collected and botanical names identified with the help of researchers in the Horticulture Department of the University for Development Studies and Regional Forestry Commission, Bolgatanga.

Method of Data Collection

The study was carried out in eight (8) randomly selected communities. The communities were Zanlerigu, Pelungu, Sekoti, Nangodi, Winkogo, Gaari, Duusi, and Tongo. Ten (10) livestock keeping households from each community were purposively selected for the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the farmers. Personal observation was also used in the gathering of information on the use of trees for medication.

Data Analysis

Frequencies and percentages were computed from the data gathered using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software program and presented as tables and pie charts.

Results and discussion

Gender and Age distribution of respondents

The study revealed that 74% of the livestock keepers in the study area were males with 26% being females. The majority of the livestock farmers interviewed were between the ages of 40-60 (48.75%), 21.25% were between the ages of 20-39 whilst 39% were above 60 years old. Most of the youth between the ages of 20-40 will prefer other income generating activities such a migrating to urban areas to serve as potters. Livestock rearing is considered as a business for the aged from the results.

Utilization of local trees and shrubs for livestock feeding

The farmers were able to identify which tree and shrub species and which vegetative part the livestock favored. In all, 31 tree and shrub species were identified in the study area as fodder plants and medication for the livestock (Table 1). A similar report was made by the Ghanaian-German Agricultural Development Project of Northern and Upper regions (Agricultural Extension handbook (1977) and Yidana et al (1998).

Acacia albida was the most known tree species as indicated by 95% of the respondents. Some farmers collect the pods (fruits) of this tree species and use them to feed their livestock. Some people do collect the pods and send to market to sell. The leaves of Acacia albida have been reported to contain a crude protein of 16.5% (Hashim, 1990). The high crude protein could improve the digestibility of low quality rice straw consumed by ruminants in the dry season. It will eventually lead to an increase in the weight gain of the animals.  Apart from Acacia albida, Ficus gnaphalocarpa, was reported to be known and used by 86.25% of the respondents. Its fruits and leaves were reported to be favored particularly by small ruminants. Other high-ranking species were Mangifera indica, Lannea acida, and Acacia dudgeonia.

The study revealed that Anogeisus leiocarpus was the least known species as indicated by 1.3% of the respondents. It was gathered from the study that farmers will choose a particular tree for feeding depending on its availability in the community and preference by animal. Most of these tress produced green leaves and some fruits throughout the dry season and could therefore serve as a reliable source of feed supplement for livestock in the dry season.

Veterinary use of trees and shrubs

Farmers used different tree parts as medication for animals. The roots and bark of Securitaca longepedunculata are dried, ground into powder, mixed with water and the solution is given to animals suffering from bloat.

The leaves of Ceiba pentandra are also pounded fresh and put in water; the solution is then squeezed into the reproductive tract of a cow to induce the expulsing of retained placenta. The bark of Khaya senegalensis and Vitellaria paradoxa are used in the treatment of diarrhea in ruminants. Table 2 below presents some of the tree and shrub species identified by farmers in the study area used as medicinal plants for livestock. They were able to identify the nature of disease, the part of trees or shrub species used, the form it is used and specific animal treated. The use of ethno veterinary practices in meeting the health needs of animals could help reduce poverty. Most farmers because of the cost in using orthodox method of medication for their animals tend to lose their animals to curable diseases.  

Availability and accessibility of trees and shrubs

Most of the tree and shrub species used for feeding and attending to the health needs of the animals were said to be available in the locality as indicated by 75% of the respondents. However, 25% of the respondents indicated that they have to walk about 3km before they can have access to the browse species for their animals.

Even though most of the trees and shrubs identified by the farmers are available in the locality, the farmers have problems accessing them (Table 3). The farmers assigned various reasons for their inability to access the trees and shrub (Table 3). The height of the trees, bulkiness and falling from the tree were the major hindrances to accessing the trees.  The low involvement of women in keeping livestock in the locality in addition to other reasons could probably be due to the height of the browse species. 

 Establishment of trees and shrubs

Out of 80 respondents, 66.25% established some local trees and shrubs for animal feeding and for other purposes. Some farmers kept a few stands of trees near their homes or in their fields especially the Vitellaria paradoxa and Parkia biglobosa although they did not plant them. These trees are kept purposely for their shade and fruits.

Among the trees and shrub established for fodder and or for any other purpose, Mangifera indica was the most species established by the farmers in the surveyed area as indicated by 25%. This could be due to its multi-purpose nature such as fruits, shade, firewood, windbreaks and fodder.

However, 33.75% of the farmers do not establish any tree species. They gave reasons such as, unavailability of seedlings, water problem, superstition, and slow growth of trees.

Conclusions

• Farmers used different parts of trees and shrubs available in the area to feed and medicate their livestock.

• Majority of the farmers established some trees around their home and farms to serve different purposes including feeding and medicating livestock.

Recommendation

• It is recommended that farmers be trained on the establishment of tree plantations and the integration of livestock with tree plantations.

• Shorter varieties of useful trees and shrubs should be developed to reduce problems of accessibility.

Acknowledgement

The authors like to thank Dr. Joshua A Yidana of the Department of Horticulture in the University for Development Studies, the staff of the Forestry Commission in Bolgatanga, for botanical identifications and to the farmers who provided useful information to complete this work.

References

Agriculture Extension handbook 1997 Fodder trees and shrubs, Ghanaian-German Agriculture Development Project of Northern and Upper regions pp 100-102

Awuni A 2003 Contribution of livestock to household food and cash security, the case of the Bolgatanga Municipality in U. E. R. a B.Sc dissertation submitted to Agriculture Economics Extension Department  UDS, Tamale, pp23 (Unpublished)

Dauda A S  1997 Identification of Browse plants in Tamale municipality, a B.Sc dissertation submitted to Natural Resource Department UDS, Tamale pp23 (Unpublished)

Hashim I M 1990 Live weight changes in sheep supplemented with seed pods of two leguminous trees in south Kordofan, Sudan, during the dry season. Trypanotolerant livestock in West & Central Africa - Volume 2. Country studies ILRI http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/ILRI/x5536E/x5536e0t.htm

Komwihangilo D M, Goromela E  H and Bwine J M  N 1995 Indigenous knowledge in the utilization of local trees and shrubs for sustainable livestock production in central Tanzania, Livestock Research for Rural Development volume 6, number 3 March 1995

Koney E B M 1992 Population and distribution, Livestock production and health in Ghana, Advent press, Osu, Ghana, ISBN 9964-91-296 Pp21-28       

Otchere  E O , Abebrese A, Karbo N, Dei H K and Djang-Fordjour K T 2002 Productivity of small ruminants in Tolon-Kumbugu district of Northern region of Ghana, An inter-faculty Journal of UDS, Tamale, Ghana, volume 2, December 2002 pp9.

Yidana  J  A, Bruce Joy and Karbo N 1998 The role of indigenous browse species in animal production in Northern Ghana, proceedings of the twenty-fourth animal science symposium organized by the Ghana Animal Science Association in Kumasi, Ghana. Vol.2 pp107. August, 1998

Received 10 October 2010; Accepted 5 February 2011; Published 1 April 2011

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