FEAST: Feed Assessment Tool

Jane Wamatu (ICARDA)

Training on Feed Assessment Tools, ILRI, Addis Ababa, 18-21 November 2013

Feed Assessment Tool

FEAST

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Feed Assessment: The Problem

Conventionally focuses on:

The feeds

Nutritive value of the feeds

Ways of improving the nutritive value

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What is FEAST?

A tool to assess feed resource availability and use at site-level

A systematic and rapid method

Broadens feed assessment to determine: is livestock is an important livelihood strategy?

how important are feed problems relative to other problems?

What about labour, inputs, credit, seasonality, markets?

Helps in the design of site-specific strategies for feed supply and utilization through technical and organizational interventions

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Components of the FEAST Tool

• Overview of Farming System• Description of the Livestock Production System • Major Problems, Issues and Opportunities within

the livestock system

PRAExercise

• Quantitative Information on crop-livestock production, feed availability, feeding rations

• Qualitative Information - perception on feed

IndividualFarmerSurvey

• Enter data into FEAST Template• Based on result, develop ideas for Intervention

Data Analysis &DevelopingInterventions

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PRA

General description of farming system range of farm sizes, farm labour availability annual rainfall pattern irrigation availability types of animals raised by households

General description of livestock production the types of animals raised the purpose of raising these animals the general animal husbandry Ease of access to credit How available are necessary inputs

Problem identification and potential solutions

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Individual Farmer Survey

Quantitative questionnaire Land size of small, medium, large farmer Animals – livestock inventory Crops - yields and areas to derive crop residue availability Cultivated forages – yields and areas Collected fodder: proportion of diet Purchased feed Grazing: proportion of diet Contributors to household income Production

o Milk production o Sale of livestock

Seasonalityo Feed supply: overall seasonal availabilityo What is fed in different months?

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Data Analysis - FEAST Template

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FEAST Sample Output

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FEAST Sample Output

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FEAST Sample Output

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Final Output

Feast report with some ideas for key problems and solutions

Better links and understanding between farmers, research and development staff

Project partners -Ethiopia

Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation

africa-rising.net

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