The study was conducted with the objectives of analyzing and developing Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) equation for predicting nutritional value and mineral constituents of chickpea haulm, and to determine the relationship between fodder quality and agronomic traits of chickpea. The samples were collected from Akaki, Alem Tena, Chefe Donsa, Debre-zeit and Minjar field experimental sites of Debre zeit Agricultural Research Center and the laboratory work was conducted at Animal Nutrition laboratory of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa.

Presents results of studies on the utilization of agricultural by-products as livestock feeds in Africa. Discusses methods of estimating the nutritive value of fibre residues and feed legumes, feed intake and digestibility, prospects of utilizing urea-treated maize stover, agroindustrial by-products and the chemical analysis of feeds.

Presents and discusses research results on feed resources, agroindustrial by-products utilisation, forage production, use of crop residues, dairy feeding systems, feeding strategies, introduction and adoption of improved forage technologies, nutritive value of different forages, effects of management on animal performance, effect of supplements on feed utilisation, potential of agricultural by-products as animal feeds, and effects of management on pasture grasses & legumes; and evaluates the utilisation of these results by smallholders.

The village baseline of Denbela Saden village in the CCAFS benchmark site of Yabello in Ethiopia took place from 10th to 12th August 2011. Focus group discussions were conducted separately for men and women.

Livestock systems in developing countries are characterised by rapid change, driven by factors such as population growth, increases in the demand for livestock products as incomes rise, and urbanisation. Climate change is adding to the considerable development challenges posed by these drivers of change. How can livestock keepers take advantage of the increasing demand for livestock products, where this is feasible, and how can the livestock assets of the poor be protected in the face of changing and increasingly variable climates?