Abstract:
Our country heavily relies on importing milk and milk products, which account for 58% of
national consumption, to bridge the gap between supply and demand. Consequently, there
is an urgent need to increase local milk production. A holistic approach to improving milk
production involves improving both the quality and quantity of cattle feed. This can be
achieved by promoting the cultivation of Napier fodder for cattle feeding. This study aimed
to assess the knowledge, awareness, and adoption of Napier fodder among smallholder
dairy farmers in the Kandawalai Veterinary Division. The study investigates the impact of
Napier fodder on milk production, identifies key factors affecting its adoption, and
proposes recommendations to overcome existing barriers. Data were collected through
structured questionnaires from 125 randomly selected dairy farmers. The responses were
analysed by thematic categories and processed in Microsoft Excel. The research findings
reveal that 67% of Napier fodder cultivators are male, and 81% of farmers maintain herds
of one to five milking cows. Although 85% of farmers are aware of Napier's benefits, only
4% dairy farmers cultivate and feed it daily. Intensive management systems with Napier
feeding result in higher average milk production (6.8 liters/cow/day) and better body
condition scores (2.5 to 3.0 BCS), and disease incidence below 2%. Conversely, semi
intensive systems without Napier feeding show lower productivity and higher disease
rates. Key constraints include limited resources for fodder cultivation (42%) and
inadequate technical knowledge (15%), with 64% of farmers expressing a need for financial
support to cultivate Napier fodder. The low adoption rate underscores the need for
targeted technical training, improved access to resources, and government subsidies to
enhance Napier fodder production for dairy productivity.
