LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR IMPERATA GRASSLANDS

With or without human intervention, animals are important components o f grassland and forest ecosystems. When settlers occupy and cultivate land, they invariably bring animals with them. Livestock integrated in the production system convert crop residues and weeds into valuable p roducts while most plant nutrients are retained. As animal feed, Imper ata has low nutritional value, especially with advancing maturity. Sup plemental feeding of ruminants with urea-molasses-mineral blocks or in troduction of fodder species, especially legumes, have significantly i mproved production under smallholder farm systems. Fodder species for fallow improvement, modified alley cropping or hedgerow systems, and p lantations integrating livestock production, all hold promise for futu re use of Imperata grasslands. Diversified systems may help settlers r each self-sufficiency while increasing the sustainability of the syste m. Research and development interventions towards improved livestock p roductivity in smallholder farms may have low economic but high social benefit, These benefits are especially attainable if the farm familie s participate in the design and implementation of innovations. Securit y of land tenure, provision of credit, and mechanisms marketing of pro duce are issues that need to be addressed in more innovative ways.