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The actors of the Plateforme d'Innovation Lait (PIL) de Léo (Milk Innovation Platform) were at school on the valorization of crop residues/gatherings and forages in dairy cow feed. Chaired by the Provincial Director of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Fisheries for the province of Sissili in Burkina-Faso, the event took place from October 10 to 15, 2023. 

The main objective of the training was to build the capacity of those involved in dairy production in terms of good practices for valorizing harvest residues, fruits of the picking and forages. Over 200 participants took part in the initiative, which was held in three separate sessions in Yallé, To and Léo, given the geographical dispersion of the participants.

Organized by the Centre Régional d'Excellence en Fruits et Légumes, as part of the activities of the Technologies et Innovations Agricoles pour l'Accroissement de la Résilience des Systèmes de Production et des Exploitations Familiales en Afrique de l'Ouest et du Centre (TARSPro) program, the training was led by zootechnics experts from the Institut de l'Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles (INERA).

The training modules covered various aspects, such as the inventory of crop residues and locally available forages, residue production and conditioning methods, and good rationing practices for dairy cows. Participants acquired theoretical knowledge on the diversity and quality of residues, valorization technologies, and best practices for taking advantage of local resources.

Thus, through theoretical sessions, learners strengthened their capacity in a range of areas. They learned about the diversity and quality of crop residues and locally available forages, the main technologies for valorizing crop residues and forages, and good rationing practices as the best means of valorizing crop residues and locally available forages.

To complete the theoretical part, practical work was organized, enabling learners to put into practice the different methods of conditioning and combining to obtain balanced, profitable and environmentally-friendly rations. 

An initiative to improve conditions for breeders

Most of the participants in these training sessions are dairy farmers. Although the livestock sub-sector makes a significant contribution to the fight against poverty, unemployment and food insecurity, and to the improvement of crop production, it must be acknowledged that it still faces difficulties that limit its full development. These include the low availability of animal feed and the high cost of feed inputs. At the same time, the low level of technical expertise among farmers in the use of feed is compromising production performance.

These sessions are a breath of fresh air for the participants, who leave delighted to be able to make their own multi-nutritional blocks and treat straw with urea. All of which is in line with one of the TARSPro program's objectives, which is to sustainably meet the demand for know-how on family farms.

As a reminder, the TARSPro project, implemented by CORAF and financed by Swiss Cooperation over a 4-year period, aims to improve the deployment of cutting-edge technologies and innovations (T&I).