Analysis of Effects Various types of Wild Fodder and Forages Exploitation on the Livelihood of Rural Households and their Intensity of Utilization in Benue State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Analysis of Effects Various types of Wild Fodder and Forages Exploitation on the Livelihood of Rural Households and their Intensity of Utilization in Benue State, Nigeria

Unongo, E.A.¹, Iorhemba, S.T², and Yahaya, M.A.²

¹Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
²Department of Agricultural Extension and Management, Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture Yandev Gboko, Benue State, Nigeria
Corresponding Author: Unongo, E.A.

Abstract: The study assessed the various types of wild fodder and forage exploited and their level of intensity of utilization by rural households for feeding livestock in Benue state, Nigeria. This was achieved with the help of a well structured interview schedule to purposively elicit information from 300 eligible respondents from the study area. The results of the study revealed that 60.0% of forest grasses were mostly exploited and intensively utilized (70.0%) while trees and shrubs leaves were identified to be exploited at 57.0% and intensively utilized (45%). The study concluded that the most exploited and utilize forest fodder and forage were grasses and trees and shrubs leaves. It was recommended that: government and community efforts should be intensified to protect the forest fodder and forages from indiscriminate bush burning for utilization by livestock; modern equipment for harvesting, treatment and preservation of fodder and forage for a long time for all year round utilization by livestock should be imported by government, individuals and organizations and sold to livestock farmer at cheap price for use; and research should be carried out by research institutes to establish the nutritional value of forest fodder and forage to enable the livestock farmers to avoid the ones that are poisonous for their livestock as well as introduce the exotic fodder and encourage its utilization by the livestock farmers for more nutritional value.

Key words – Forage, Fodder, Forest, Utilization, Resources.

I. INTRODUCTION

Livestock production in Nigeria partly depend largely on the use of fodder and forages which most of them are derived from the forest which in turn serve as organic manure for crops after been fed to livestock and passed out as dung. Animal based farming system in most parts of Nigeria has a strong link with forest resources for fodder and forages supply and nutrient recycling. The trees have nutritional, social, ecological and cultural values in Nigeria society.

Read More