1. The Role of Forages in Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change in
Smallholder Crop-Livestock Systems
Kabirizi, J1.; Mugerwa, S1.; Ziwa, E2.; Nanyennya, W1.; Matovu, M3.;
Kigongo, J1., Komutunga3 E., Agona3 A., Mubiru D3.
1
National Livestock Resources Research Institute, P.O. Box 96, Tororo
2
Bulindi Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute, P.O Box
101, Hoima
3
National Agricultural Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 7065, Kampala
Climate change and climate
variability is a major constraint in
crop-livestock production
systems. Climate change leads
to inadequate (quality and
quantity) fodder; reduced milk
yield and household income and
sometimes death of the animals.
Farmers have to walk long
distance in search of fodder
whose quality is very low (less
than 10% crude protein)
Drought tolerant forages such
as Brachiaria mulato provide
year-round fodder supply (6-9
tons/ha/year) when established
in addition to Napier grass
(Pennisetum purpureum) (10-25
t/ha/year).

2. Brachiaria mulato (Signal grass)
Maize stover is a source of feed
during the dry season but its crude
protein is too low (<4.0%) to
sustain milk production.
Intercropping maize with Lablab
purpureus improves maize stover
yield (4,357 kg/ha); protein content
(7.6%) and grain yield (2,139
kg/ha) compared to the maize
monocrop (3,934 kg/ha; 4.0% and
1,598 kg/ha, respectively). Lablab
provides a soil cover, conserves
soil moisture, controls soil erosion
Maize-lablab intercrop for food and and suppresses weeds in addition
fodder production to providing a source of protein.
Supplementing dairy cows fed
low quality forages with fodder
trees such as Calliandra
calothyrsus improves milk yield
by 10%. Fodder trees contain
20-25% Crude protein
compared to grasses (<10%
CP). Lactating cows consuming
an average daily amount of 3 kg
of fresh tree fodder over a
period of 10 months had an
average daily weight gain of
0.55 kg, while exhibiting no
apparent health problem.

3. Leguminous forages such as
Lablab purpurerus are the
cheapest potential source of
soil, crop and animal nitrogen
in different farming systems.
Forage legumes have high
(15-20%) protein content.
Forage legume supplements
increase dry matter intake;
improve rumen function and a
laxative influence on the
alimentary system.
Applying manure to fodder fields improved fodder yield and
nutritive value by over 30% and 10%, respectively
Acknowledgements

4. We acknowledge financial and technical support from the National
Agricultural Research Laboratories; the Rockefeller Foundation and the
National Livestock Resources Research Institute.