LEFT: Calliandra trees in the field. RIGHT: Muhumuza feeds his goats on calliandra leaves

By Ronald Kalyango
Scientists have identified calliandra, a multi-purpose tree, as a cheap source of protein for goats and cows.
Jolly Kabirizi, a forage scientist at Namulonge Agricultural and Animal Production Research Institute, says, “We carried out comparative studies and found that calliandra is more nutritious than other fodder tree legumes.”
Kabirizi says the tree has a high protein content, which is not available in most grasses.
Calliandra is a small leguminous tree that attains a height of 1.7metres. It grows well in most parts of Uganda, especially in areas with an annual rainfall of 1,000mm and non-acidic soils. Harvesting starts between four and six months depending on management.
The tree’s seedlings are available at the Forestry Resources Research Institute in Kifu, Mukono district and Nakawa whereas many farmers have started growing it. A seedling costs between sh200 and sh500, while a kilogramme of the seeds goes for sh20,000.
Kabirizi says farmers in Kenya intercrop the tree with elephant grass to have greater productivity.
“Maximum fodder yields can be obtained if a row of calliandra is planted between three to four rows of elephant grass,” she says.
Kabirizi says farmers can also plant the tree in single lines as hedge rows around elephant grass or around farms, with the spacing of 40cm by 50cm.
Kabirizi says apart from being an excellent fodder for livestock, calliandra is a source of firewood, increases soil fertility and reduces run off.
She says the trees grow fast and sprout after cutting, which makes them easy to maintain.
Daniel Muhumuza of Seguku village II in Wakiso district has never regretted planting calliandra trees.
He says since he started feeding his cows and goats on the trees, they are healthy and milk production has increased.
“Apart from increasing crop yields by between 40% and 60%, calliandra trees have increased our milk production by more than 50%. We used to get 20 litres from four cows a day, but now, we get 60 litres,” Muhumuza says.
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