Production, utilization and constraints of Desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) as livestock feed in Ethiopia

The study was conducted with the objective of assessing farmers' production practice, utilization and constraints of Desho grass (Pennisetum glaucifolium) production in Chencha, Bule and Hula districts, Ethiopia. The methodology of this study encompassed questionnaire survey and group discussion. Simple random sampling was used to select a sample consisting of 199 households in the districts. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS and SAS software. The result indicated that of the total respondents, 69% did not used fertilizer and 72% respondents not practiced weeding, Generally, the majority of respondents, did not use any forage improvement practice after plantation. Concerning forage utilization, 48.2, plant Desho as soil band, while 26.6% plant as hedgerows and 25.1% plant in the back yard. 40.2 % of the respondents reported that they plant Desho grass for both feeding animals and soil conservation, while the remaining 36.7% plant Desho only for feeding animals, 20% plant Desho gras for sale and 3% plant Desho grass for only soil conservation. Based on the laboratory result, Desho grass is classified as high quality feedstuff for the study area. The crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin content and in vitro organic matter digestibility of sample Desho grass was 7.04, 72.47, 43.73, 5.4 and 52.19 percent, respectively. Land shortage and lack of awareness were ranked first and second constraints for Desho production in the study area. It can be conclude that, Desho grass have a very important function in terms of contribution of nutrients to livestock and locally available feed resource however, farmers are not getting the benefits they deserve from the use of Desho grass, which has not been improved and should be supported by research to improve it production and use.