Innovative use of agroforestry technologies in semi-arid smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe to improve livestock production and address rangeland degradation

摘要: This paper is a synthesis of different research findings on the relevance of agroforestry technologies in semiarid smallholder farming communities in Zimbabwe in improving livestock production as well as alleviating poverty. Acacia angustissima, a legume shrub with high nutritive value as a livestock feed, was utilized in participatory on-farm research in two smallholder-farming communities. In Bubi smallholder farming area, this forage shrub species mixed with pearl millet was used as feed for goats. A. angustissima, at 45% inclusion in the goat diet produced significantly higher goat growth rates than natural rangeland. The farmers in this study demonstrated a keenness not only to use this feeding technology, but to grow their own A. angustissima. The second study was done to address the problems of feeding broiler chickens in Chikwaka smallholder farming area. It was concluded that 10% A. angustissima leaf …