The FEAST template

Lukuyu B.A1, Duncan A2, and Dror I1

1International Livestock Research Institute, P.O Box 30709 00100, Nairobi Kenya, 2International Livestock Research Institute, P.O Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The problem Dairy production is rapidly developing in Sub Saharan Africa, but smallholder farmers are frequently being

faced by the challenge of inadequate feed resources especially in the dry season.

Conventionally feed assessments focuses 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 assessment to look at:

Is livestock an important livelihood strategy? How important are feed problems relative to other problems? What about labour, input availability, credit, seasonality, markets for

products etc.? Identifies feed gaps and provides some ideas for key problems and solutions

How does it work

Livestock holdings of the farmers (TLU)

Final report

Shows whether livestock is an important source of income

Shows the various sources of households’ income

Indicates the percentage contribution of various income sources

Sample outputs

Displays annual distribution of rainfall in the area

Shows seasonal available feed resources throughout the year

Shows quantities of purchased feed over a 12 months period

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Ava

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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 (CP) and Metabolizable energy (ME)

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. PRA Exercise

•Quantitative information on crop-livestock production, feed availability, 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