Role of local knowledge in mixed livestock production systems - Methodology and implications for research and development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Local knowledge is an important asset for smallholder farmers who operate differently in diverse crop and livestock production systems in the tropics. Various methods are needed for its acquisition, analysis, storage and communication. While local knowledge of livestock feeds and other resources is abundant, amalgamation of the positive aspects of this knowledge system with that emanating from contemporary scientific approaches is critical yet limited. The merger is desirable so as to achieve improved productivity and sustainability of mixed livestock production systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.