Rapid livestock feed assessment tools to support intervention strategies: FEAST and Techfit Ben Lukuyu and Alan Duncan Legume CHOICE expert meeting Jan 13-15, 2014 ICRAF Nairobi

What is FEAST and TechFit tools? FEAST – Feed Assessment Tool Farmer centered diagnosis (FCD) that helps researchers and development workers understand feed within the local context. It helps clarify whether livestock is an important livelihood strategy and, if so, the importance of feed problems relative to other problems- TechFit – Technology Filter Tool TechFit is intended to help development and extension workers to identify the most appropriate feed technologies for adoption by resource poor livestock keepers in specific locations and contexts

Why feed interventions often do not work? FEAST tool Failure to place feed in broader livelihood context Lack of farmer design and ownership TechFit tool Neglect of how interventions fit the context: land, labour, cash, knowledge etc.

Feed assessment and prioritization Feed assessment conventionally focuses on: The feeds Their nutritive value Ways of improving nutritive value FEAST broadens assessment 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.? Conventionally technology selection is based on Expert knowledge (usual suspects!) Existing practise Guess work! TechFit: The tool works by matching the attributes and requirements of various feed technologies to the attributes and requirements of a specific site, such as a cluster of village

The FEAST concept (

How does FEAST work? Overview of farming system and livestock feed aspect Milk marketing, veterinary services Major problems for livestock production 1. Focus group discussion Quantitative information on crop- livestock production, feed availability, feeding rations Qualitative information - perception on feed quality 2. Individual farmer survey Data processing in a FEAST template Based on result develop ideas for intervention 3. Data processing and analysis The main elements

Section1: Focus Group Discussion Overview General description of farming system – range of farm sizes, – farm labour availability – annual rainfall pattern – water and irrigation availability – types of animals raised by households. General description of livestock production – the types of animals raised (% of households raising these animals and average herd/flock sizes) – the purpose of raising these animals (e.g. draught, income, fattening, calf production) – the general animal husbandry (including; management, veterinary services and reproduction). – ease of access to credit – how available are necessary inputs – plastic, urea, concentrates etc. Problem identification and potential solutions 1 2 3

Section 2: Individual interviews (quantitative) Animals – livestock inventory Crops - yields and areas to derive crop residue availability Cultivated forages – yields and areas Collected fodder: proportion of diet Purchased feed Grazing: proportion of diet Contributors to household income Production. – Milk production – Sale of livestock Seasonality. – Feed supply: overall seasonal availability – What is fed in different months?

FEAST sample outputs

Average livestock holdings (in tropical livestock units, TLU) per household of dominant species Kisiwani Chake Chake and Mkoani

Average area (ha) per household of dominant arable crops as perceived by farmers Kisiwani Chake Chake and Mkoani

Dry matter (DM) content of total diet (as a percentage) Kisiwani Chake Chake and Mkoani

Crude protein(CP) content of total diet (as a percentage) Kisiwani Chake Chake and Mkoani

Feed types and sources throughout the year and feeding systems Kisiwani Chake Chake and Mkoani Four seasons: Dry, hot (Kasikazi/Kiangazi); Heavy rains, hot (Masika) ; Showers, cool (Mchoo); Scattered showers, warm (Vuli)

Final output from the FEAST Consists of a short report in a defined format along with some quantitative information on overall feed availability, quality and seasonality. Feast report with some ideas for key problems and solutions Better links and understanding between farmers, research and development staff

TechFit tool

Techfit A discussion support tool for prioritizing feed technologies

Key context attributes Land Labour Credit Input Knowledge Key technology attributes Land Labour Credit Input Knowledge The core concept

Key context attributes Land Labour Credit Input Knowledge Key technology attributes Land Labour Credit Input Knowledge x= Score Matching context to technology

Technology filter Technology list Pre-filter Main filter Score

Final output Ideas for some promising feed interventions that might work Better understanding of why the usual suspects often don’t work.

FEAST – TechFit logic

Recent and on-going developments FEAST Data aggregator available – Imports FEAST data into central database – Currently standalone but plans underway to move into online environment Ongoing process of using instructional design and technology to convert traditional materials into a blended learning course – reformat and refine course materials – development of eLearning materials TECHFIT Linked FEASR to TechFit tool

Thank you – questions and comments?

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