Abstract:

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) implements (TIDE) , funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nairobi. The Dutch Government also funds dairy programmes in Kenya (KMDP) and Ethiopia (EDGET, BRIDGE and Dairy Biss) and this involvement in East Africa led in 2018 to a regional project for learning and exchange: Netherlands East African Dairy Partnership (NEADAP). In NEADAP focus is on three themes: Milk Quality, Forage (and dairy cow nutrition) and Inclusive Business Models and sharing of lessons learned for 5 countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Ruanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Implementing partners of NEADAP are SNV, Agriterra, WUR and Bles Dairies. In the Forage Theme SNV Kenya/KMDP – with the support of WUR Livestock Research - takes lead and developed a framework for Forage Quick Scans for Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. The quick scans focus on the current status of forage crops availability, production and preservation practices, technologies, mechanisation and innovations. This includes forages produced and preserved by the farmer in different farming systems: intensive farming (zero grazing), semi-intensive (semi-zero grazing, fenced grazing on improved pastures) and extensive livestock systems (grazing on natural grassland, ranching, agro-pastoralism). The study also pays attention to the commercial forage producers and agricultural contractors that have emerged in the Ugandan forage sub-sector. This report of the forage sub-sector in Uganda is a Working Paper prepared under the umbrella of Netherlands East African Dairy Partnership (NEADAP). It serves as a reference document and input for a Strategy Paper and Policy Brief for consideration by relevant Ugandan agencies and stakeholders. NEADAP is financed by the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.