Integrating livestock, trees and crops

A pilot project in Nigeria, combining traditional crops with trees (Leucanea leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium) that are grown for livestock grazing, appears to be succeeding. The project began in 1984 with 60 small producers and has been expanded to the extent that over 1,000 neighbouring farmers have adopted this technique. It is now planned to involve 15,000 more farmers over the next five years. Both the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) are studying the impact of tree leaf consumption on animal productivity. The problem of the toxicity of Leucanea leaves, which reduces weight gain, may be overcome if a neutralizing bacterium, found in a breed of goats in Hawaii, can be used to innoculate other animals. This would open the door to the possibility of feeding animals solely on Leucanea leaves. For further information. contact: Simon Charter. Len Reynolds IITA. B.P. 532, Ibadan, NigeriaA pilot project in Nigeria, combining traditional crops with trees (Leucanea leucocephala and Gliricidia sepium) that are grown for livestock grazing, appears to be succeeding. The project began in 1984 with 60 small producers and has been expanded..