Potentials of Moringa stenopetala foliage as livestock feed, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The Moringa stenopetala tree is a highly versatile plant with numerous applications. It serves as a reliable source of food, feed, and income for farming households in Ethiopia. A study conducted in the Southern region of Ethiopia aimed to evaluate the potential of the Moringa stenopetala as a livestock feed resource. The study examined various factors, including year-round availability, usage trends, farmers’ attitudes, and livestock preferences, through a survey of 379 households using diverse techniques. Results revealed that the abundance of Moringa stenopetala trees ranged from 1 to 100 trees per household. Most households (95.5%) supplied the edible parts of the tree to their livestock for sufficient amounts of quality protein. However, the study identified a lack of awareness regarding harvesting, conservation, and processing during ample yield of trees for dry and seasonal fluctuations, limiting the potential of the tree for farming households. The study found that in the Gofa and Gamo zones, 64.8% and 52.73% of households, respectively, supplied cattle with edible parts of Moringa stenopetala, while 56.69% of households in the Konso zone mainly provided for goats. Livestock preferences for tree parts differ, with the earliest leaves being the most popular choice. Providing Moringa stenopetala parts in fresh and dried forms was important in replacing feed quality and quantity gaps during dry seasons. In conclusion, promoting the planting of the Moringa stenopetala tree and raising awareness of its nutritional composition of edible parts could help further utilize this valuable resource in drought-prone areas.

Keywords

• Farmers’ perception
• feed
• livestock preference
• Moringa stenopetala
• Pedro González-Redondo, University of Seville, Spain
• Agriculture