In the rangelands of Kenya, the supply and quality of feed for animals is tenuous. Erratic rainfall and frequent drought, exacerbated by climate change, have forced pastoral communities to look for alternative, drought-resilient plant species that can reliably feed livestock.
In response to this need, Margaret Syomiti, a researcher with the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Adapting Livestock Systems to Climate Change, led by Colorado State University, has developed a new feed technology to mitigate the effects of a changing environmental landscape. Syomiti’s technology utilizes an invasive shrub species, Prosopis juliflora, which is aggressively invading grazing lands and in some cases blocking access to water sources in Kenya. By transforming Prosopis into fortified feed blocks – crushing the seeds so they cannot re-germinate – this technology has the potential to slow the invasion of Prosopis in crucial grazing lands and give animals a more balanced, nutritious diet.
Produced using low cost technology, the fortified feed blocks improve feed intake and digestibility of poor quality feed resources that have become more common due to the ecological impacts of climate change. Inexpensive and easy to transport, these blocks also open up entrepreneurship opportunities for women, who can manufacture them in areas of plenty and market them in areas of scarcity, sustaining livestock and economic vitality during dry seasons.
In October, Margaret Syomiti exhibited her product and technology at the United Nations Empower Women Share Fair in Nairobi. Her project was selected from over a hundred entries by a team of 20 experts from the United Nations, research, academia, civil society and the private sector.
This article in brief: Bangladeshi women can make a living through livestock farming, however, socio-cultural norms limit their access to market roles beyond basic farming. Male community members often challenge…
Read MorePrivate-public partnerships are contributing to the the success of pastoral farmers in Kenya. Agricultural researchers, insurance companies, and the Government of Kenya recently joined forces to establish the Kenya Livestock Insurance Program (KLIP), helping families who depend on livestock farming to manage risk and build resilience.
Read MoreIn Zimbabwe, 3,000 smallholder beef producers are turning their small operations into profitable enterprises. What's made the difference? Feed the Future is connecting them directly to buyers and helping them improve the quality and quantity of their livestock.
Read MoreFarming was the easy part for Seraphine Mujawumukiza. Getting her produce to market was the challenge. But now, a local company is collecting farmers’ produce, selling it at premium markets, and helping farmers like Seraphine turn a profit.
Read More
