Fodder bank: Improving the nutrition of cattle in the subhumid zone of West Africa

ILCA acknowledged the potential for increased animal agriculture in the subhumid zone of West Africa by establishing a research base at Kaduna in northern Nigeria. FulBe agropastoralists were selected at the target group because they own most of the cattle in the zone and cattle are the predominant livestock, at least in terms of biomass and traded products. After consultation with experts, farm surveys, and a simulation analysis, ILCA chose to focus the research on overcoming the dry-season nutrition constraint. This paper looks into the land use in the subhumid zone of Nigeria; discusses government Development priorities and policies; outlines objectives, constraints and guidelines for establishing fodder banks; examines varying producer circumstances and technology changes; challenges in implementing innovations; presents impact analysis and researcher's view; and summarises future prospects.