Mapping gender preferences for tree and shrub forages

Abstract

F eed shortages due to droughts have serious impact on livestock in East Africa and other parts of the world. Climate change is exacerbating these impacts. The CGIAR research program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) examines indigenous tree shrubs and forages in the Rift Valley and parts of central Kenya to generate knowledge on how these feeds can be utilized to improve milk production and provide labour savings to women who spend hours on feed collection. The project’s aim was to identify indigenous and exotic forages that can be promoted to enhance feed management strategies in Kenya. Participatory learning and action (PLA) tools such as livelihood and resource maps are commonly used in farmer workshops and group discussions to meet this requirement (Pretty et al. 1995). In this project, livelihood and resource mapping was carried out to identify important livelihood activities and feed resources that can improve feed management strategies. It was also used to identify gender roles in livelihood activities