Herdsmen – Farmers Clash Will Reduce, As Cassava Leaf and Peels Are Now Good Alternative Feed Resource for Beef and Dairy Cattle Production in Nigeria, Synergos Rep and Real People Concept boss Tell Farmers

In a bid to ease the stress of sourcing livestock feed, most especially for cattle farmers in Nigeria, Synergos – a global organization that contributes to reduced hunger, solve complex issues of poverty and create economic opportunities for women and youth, by supporting the transformation of agricultural systems – in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), supported a Cassava Innovation Project with the objective of seeking an alternative feed resource for beef and dairy cattle production in Nigeria.

This was made known to farmers and the general public during a 1-Day Field Day Event held at Ef & Ef Farms, Kelebe, Oyo, Oyo State on Tuesday, 5th of February, 2019.

The 18 months old Cassava Innovation Project managed by Real People Concept – a social enterprise for development providing and supporting modern livestock production technology and laboratory analytical solutions in Nigeria and West Africa Sub-region – strives to harness cassava leaf and peels as alternative feed resource for beef and dairy cattle production.

This research based project was carried out and still on-going on Ef & Ef Farms, Oyo. However, the findings from the research so far were demonstrated to farmers at the Field Day Event. 

Mr. Innocent Yamusa

Present at the event were Barrister Oyewunmi oyewole, the Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture in Oyo State, who was ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. V. A. Atilola, the Oyo State Director of Livestock Services, Mr. Odedele, the Director of Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Dr. Shomibare, Oyo State Deputy Comptroller of Prisons, Mr. O. Olaniyi, Programme Manager, Oyo State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Mrs. F. F. Akande, Managing Director, S. Adis Agricultural Engineering Limited, Engr. Segun Bolaji, Oyo State President, National Association of Animal Health and Husbandry Technologists, Mr. Akingboye Kazeem, Oyo State Deputy Director of Livestock Services, Mrs. Akinloye, the CEO & MD, Ef & Ef Farms, Mr. Majaro, Farmers from across south west Nigeria, erudite scholars and well-wishers.

Mr. Innocent Yamusa, representative of Synergos at the event stressed that the interest of his organization is to create alternative and viable resource for feeding cattle and livestock in Nigeria. “Sourcing feed for livestock has really been a source of conflict around the country and Synergos has decided to support this project from Oyo state to see what successes and lessons to be learnt in order to replicate this project in order communities”, he emphasized. Mr. Innocent implored the farmers that they should return to their farms and replicate the initiative for their use. 

While giving the welcome address, Mr. Tunmise Olagbaju, the Managing Director of Real People Concept, welcomed every participant and explained that his organization put together the 1-day Field Day Event to share their experience and findings so far on the cassava leaf and peel project for inclusion in cattle feed. He added that for over 16 weeks some cattle have been placed on cassava leaf and peel diet at varied concentration and his team had discovered very interesting result that could improve beef and dairy production in Nigeria and solve the farmer and herdsmen clashes in communities. He thanked Synergos and FMARD for bringing Real People Concept on board as a Technical Partner on the Cassava Innovation Project.

Participants at the event

In his opening speech, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture in Oyo State, Barrister Oyewole said the event represents the opportunity to confirm the performance and genuine commitment of the present administration under the able leadership of His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Executive Governor, Oyo State, to the development of Agriculture in the State.

“For today’s gathering, I appreciate the efforts of Synergos who is the originator of this programme, to sensitize the Herdsmen to shift from nomadic way of life to Zero/Semi-Intensive Grazing System as prototype for moving the Nigerian Livestock Production System from Pastoralism to Ranching, which will go a long way to address the clashes between crop farmers and herdsmen.” He continued.

“With this programme, it is hoped and believed that there will be a change in our agricultural development from extensive to intensive/semi intensive system of production with the use of cassava peel and leaves in cattle ration as alternative feed for cattle farmers and additional source of income to the crop farmers.” He concluded.

Two lectures were delivered by experts at the event; Dr. John Abiola, a veterinarian delivered a lecture on “Importance of Biosecurity to Improve Productivity and Public Health”.

However, the main lecture was delivered by Mr. Kabir Junaid, a nutritionist and registered Animal Scientist. The lecture titled; “Cassava Peel and Leaves as Alternative Feed Resources for Improved Beef and Dairy Cattle Production”, x-rayed the details of the cassava innovation project and the inherent benefits. Below are the findings presented:

Mr. Junaid said the results showed that Feed intake and feed conversion ration significantly increased, Average daily weight gain ranged between 0.45 and 0.75kg/day and there was no mortality. He further stated the following conclusions:

• Inclusion of cassava peel and leaves into the diets of Beef and dairy cattle improved significantly the feed intake; growth rates feed conversion efficiency and milk yield when comparing with grazing animals.
• It can be concluded that 50% cassava peel + 10% leaves exhibited the best performance with zero grazing.
• The inclusion of cassava leaves at 10, 20 and 30 with grasses/legumes can be adopted during dry season when pastures are scarce and of low quality.
• This can reduce the clash between crop farmers and herdsmen.

And recommended as follows:

• Inclusion of cassava peel at 50% and leaves 10, 20 and 30 to improve beef and dairy products in Nigeria.
• To fully exploit the potential feed value of cassava leaves for beef and dairy production on agronomic varieties for high foliage yield, plant production, defoliation intervals.

Mr Tunmise Olagbaju demonstrated how the leaves and peels are processed and included in cattle feed and he also answered all questions raised by the participants.

Participant examining cassava peel and leaf processed cattle feed

Meanwhile, Mr. Majaro, CEO of Ef & Ef Farms expressed his joy to be part of the project and encouraged Oyo State government to intensify rural electrification project in Kelebe Community, Oyo State.