An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania

Anitha Carlos Ngesi; Germana Henry Laswai; George Mutani Msalya; Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu; Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo; Raphael Mrode

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17

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An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania

Anitha Carlos Ngesi^*

, Germana Henry Laswai

, George Mutani Msalya

, Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu

, Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo

, Raphael Mrode

Published in International Journal of Animal Science and Technology (Volume 9, Issue 2)

Received: 4 April 2025 Accepted: 16 April 2025 Published: 19 May 2025

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Abstract

A survey study was conducted to assess the influence of altitude and socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder dairy farmers in adaptation to feeding practices (FPs) and their ultimate effect on the nutrition of dairy cattle and milk production. One hundred and twenty dairy farmers from highland (60) and lowland (60) zones of Hai district, Tanzania were interviewed. Feed samples were collected for evaluation of proximate and Van Soest composition, in vitro dry matter (INVDMD) and organic matter (INVOMD) digestibility for three FPs, namely zero grazing (FP1), grazing with supplementation (FP2) and extensive grazing (FP3). Data on milk yield was obtained from the farmer record books and database of African Asian Dairy Genetic Gain program. Most respondents from both highland (88%) and lowland (53%) zones were practicing zero grazing (FP1) than grazing plus supplementation. High level of education, farming experience of >10 years, and dairying plus other sources of livelihood showed positive likelihood of influencing adaptation of zero grazing practice (FP1). Forage diets offered to cows under FP1 had lower mean values of crude protein (6.9%, CP) and metabolisable energy (5.01 MJ ME/kgDM) compared to other practices. Concentrate diets used in FP1 practice had higher CP (13.7%) compared to those in FP2 (10.9%). There was higher average milk yield from cows under FP1 in the highland (11.6 kg) compared to their counterparts. Cows under FP1 on the lowland had similar (P>0.05) average milk yield (8.7 kg) to those under FP2 in the highland zone (9.47 kg). Cows under FP3 in the lowland produced the lowest (P<0.05) milk yield of 4.61 kg. The study concluded that differences in socioeconomic characteristics of farmers and altitude zones have influence on the adaptation and domination of a specific feeding practice, which ultimately determines the level of performance of the dairy cattle. It is recommended that more studies are required to assess the influence of feeding and other management practices of dairy cows on the environmental effects.

Published in	International Journal of Animal Science and Technology (Volume 9, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17
Page(s)	87-99
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Altitude Zones, Dairy Cattle, Feed Resources, Feeding Values, Milk Yield, Socioeconomic Characteristics

References

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APA Style

Ngesi, A. C., Laswai, G. H., Msalya, G. M., Lyatuu, E. T., Komwihangilo, D. M., et al. (2025). An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania. International Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 9(2), 87-99. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17

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ACS Style

Ngesi, A. C.; Laswai, G. H.; Msalya, G. M.; Lyatuu, E. T.; Komwihangilo, D. M., et al. An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania. Int. J. Anim. Sci. Technol. 2025, 9(2), 87-99. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17

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AMA Style

Ngesi AC, Laswai GH, Msalya GM, Lyatuu ET, Komwihangilo DM, et al. An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania. Int J Anim Sci Technol. 2025;9(2):87-99. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17

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@article{10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17,
  author = {Anitha Carlos Ngesi and Germana Henry Laswai and George Mutani Msalya and Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu and Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo and Raphael Mrode},
  title = {An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania
},
  journal = {International Journal of Animal Science and Technology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {87-99},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijast.20250902.17},
  abstract = {A survey study was conducted to assess the influence of altitude and socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder dairy farmers in adaptation to feeding practices (FPs) and their ultimate effect on the nutrition of dairy cattle and milk production. One hundred and twenty dairy farmers from highland (60) and lowland (60) zones of Hai district, Tanzania were interviewed. Feed samples were collected for evaluation of proximate and Van Soest composition, in vitro dry matter (INVDMD) and organic matter (INVOMD) digestibility for three FPs, namely zero grazing (FP1), grazing with supplementation (FP2) and extensive grazing (FP3). Data on milk yield was obtained from the farmer record books and database of African Asian Dairy Genetic Gain program. Most respondents from both highland (88%) and lowland (53%) zones were practicing zero grazing (FP1) than grazing plus supplementation. High level of education, farming experience of >10 years, and dairying plus other sources of livelihood showed positive likelihood of influencing adaptation of zero grazing practice (FP1). Forage diets offered to cows under FP1 had lower mean values of crude protein (6.9%, CP) and metabolisable energy (5.01 MJ ME/kgDM) compared to other practices. Concentrate diets used in FP1 practice had higher CP (13.7%) compared to those in FP2 (10.9%). There was higher average milk yield from cows under FP1 in the highland (11.6 kg) compared to their counterparts. Cows under FP1 on the lowland had similar (P>0.05) average milk yield (8.7 kg) to those under FP2 in the highland zone (9.47 kg). Cows under FP3 in the lowland produced the lowest (P<0.05) milk yield of 4.61 kg. The study concluded that differences in socioeconomic characteristics of farmers and altitude zones have influence on the adaptation and domination of a specific feeding practice, which ultimately determines the level of performance of the dairy cattle. It is recommended that more studies are required to assess the influence of feeding and other management practices of dairy cows on the environmental effects.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania

AU  - Anitha Carlos Ngesi
AU  - Germana Henry Laswai
AU  - George Mutani Msalya
AU  - Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu
AU  - Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo
AU  - Raphael Mrode
Y1  - 2025/05/19
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17
T2  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JF  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JO  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
SP  - 87
EP  - 99
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1312
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17
AB  - A survey study was conducted to assess the influence of altitude and socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder dairy farmers in adaptation to feeding practices (FPs) and their ultimate effect on the nutrition of dairy cattle and milk production. One hundred and twenty dairy farmers from highland (60) and lowland (60) zones of Hai district, Tanzania were interviewed. Feed samples were collected for evaluation of proximate and Van Soest composition, in vitro dry matter (INVDMD) and organic matter (INVOMD) digestibility for three FPs, namely zero grazing (FP1), grazing with supplementation (FP2) and extensive grazing (FP3). Data on milk yield was obtained from the farmer record books and database of African Asian Dairy Genetic Gain program. Most respondents from both highland (88%) and lowland (53%) zones were practicing zero grazing (FP1) than grazing plus supplementation. High level of education, farming experience of >10 years, and dairying plus other sources of livelihood showed positive likelihood of influencing adaptation of zero grazing practice (FP1). Forage diets offered to cows under FP1 had lower mean values of crude protein (6.9%, CP) and metabolisable energy (5.01 MJ ME/kgDM) compared to other practices. Concentrate diets used in FP1 practice had higher CP (13.7%) compared to those in FP2 (10.9%). There was higher average milk yield from cows under FP1 in the highland (11.6 kg) compared to their counterparts. Cows under FP1 on the lowland had similar (P>0.05) average milk yield (8.7 kg) to those under FP2 in the highland zone (9.47 kg). Cows under FP3 in the lowland produced the lowest (P<0.05) milk yield of 4.61 kg. The study concluded that differences in socioeconomic characteristics of farmers and altitude zones have influence on the adaptation and domination of a specific feeding practice, which ultimately determines the level of performance of the dairy cattle. It is recommended that more studies are required to assess the influence of feeding and other management practices of dairy cows on the environmental effects.

VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Anitha Carlos Ngesi

Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences (DAARS), Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-5529-733X
Germana Henry Laswai

Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences (DAARS), Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4782-7286
George Mutani Msalya

Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences (DAARS), Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7005-247X
Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Dar es salaam, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9909-2117
Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo

Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI), Dodoma, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3291-9869
Raphael Mrode

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi, Kenya

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1964-5653

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APA Style

Ngesi, A. C., Laswai, G. H., Msalya, G. M., Lyatuu, E. T., Komwihangilo, D. M., et al. (2025). An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania. International Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 9(2), 87-99. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17

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ACS Style

Ngesi, A. C.; Laswai, G. H.; Msalya, G. M.; Lyatuu, E. T.; Komwihangilo, D. M., et al. An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania. Int. J. Anim. Sci. Technol. 2025, 9(2), 87-99. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17

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AMA Style

Ngesi AC, Laswai GH, Msalya GM, Lyatuu ET, Komwihangilo DM, et al. An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania. Int J Anim Sci Technol. 2025;9(2):87-99. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17,
  author = {Anitha Carlos Ngesi and Germana Henry Laswai and George Mutani Msalya and Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu and Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo and Raphael Mrode},
  title = {An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania
},
  journal = {International Journal of Animal Science and Technology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {87-99},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijast.20250902.17},
  abstract = {A survey study was conducted to assess the influence of altitude and socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder dairy farmers in adaptation to feeding practices (FPs) and their ultimate effect on the nutrition of dairy cattle and milk production. One hundred and twenty dairy farmers from highland (60) and lowland (60) zones of Hai district, Tanzania were interviewed. Feed samples were collected for evaluation of proximate and Van Soest composition, in vitro dry matter (INVDMD) and organic matter (INVOMD) digestibility for three FPs, namely zero grazing (FP1), grazing with supplementation (FP2) and extensive grazing (FP3). Data on milk yield was obtained from the farmer record books and database of African Asian Dairy Genetic Gain program. Most respondents from both highland (88%) and lowland (53%) zones were practicing zero grazing (FP1) than grazing plus supplementation. High level of education, farming experience of >10 years, and dairying plus other sources of livelihood showed positive likelihood of influencing adaptation of zero grazing practice (FP1). Forage diets offered to cows under FP1 had lower mean values of crude protein (6.9%, CP) and metabolisable energy (5.01 MJ ME/kgDM) compared to other practices. Concentrate diets used in FP1 practice had higher CP (13.7%) compared to those in FP2 (10.9%). There was higher average milk yield from cows under FP1 in the highland (11.6 kg) compared to their counterparts. Cows under FP1 on the lowland had similar (P>0.05) average milk yield (8.7 kg) to those under FP2 in the highland zone (9.47 kg). Cows under FP3 in the lowland produced the lowest (P<0.05) milk yield of 4.61 kg. The study concluded that differences in socioeconomic characteristics of farmers and altitude zones have influence on the adaptation and domination of a specific feeding practice, which ultimately determines the level of performance of the dairy cattle. It is recommended that more studies are required to assess the influence of feeding and other management practices of dairy cows on the environmental effects.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - An Assessment on the Feeding Practices and other Factors Influencing Dairy Production Under Smallholder Systems of Kilimanjaro Region in Tanzania

AU  - Anitha Carlos Ngesi
AU  - Germana Henry Laswai
AU  - George Mutani Msalya
AU  - Eliamoni Titus Lyatuu
AU  - Daniel Mshumbusi Komwihangilo
AU  - Raphael Mrode
Y1  - 2025/05/19
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17
T2  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JF  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JO  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
SP  - 87
EP  - 99
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1312
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20250902.17
AB  - A survey study was conducted to assess the influence of altitude and socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder dairy farmers in adaptation to feeding practices (FPs) and their ultimate effect on the nutrition of dairy cattle and milk production. One hundred and twenty dairy farmers from highland (60) and lowland (60) zones of Hai district, Tanzania were interviewed. Feed samples were collected for evaluation of proximate and Van Soest composition, in vitro dry matter (INVDMD) and organic matter (INVOMD) digestibility for three FPs, namely zero grazing (FP1), grazing with supplementation (FP2) and extensive grazing (FP3). Data on milk yield was obtained from the farmer record books and database of African Asian Dairy Genetic Gain program. Most respondents from both highland (88%) and lowland (53%) zones were practicing zero grazing (FP1) than grazing plus supplementation. High level of education, farming experience of >10 years, and dairying plus other sources of livelihood showed positive likelihood of influencing adaptation of zero grazing practice (FP1). Forage diets offered to cows under FP1 had lower mean values of crude protein (6.9%, CP) and metabolisable energy (5.01 MJ ME/kgDM) compared to other practices. Concentrate diets used in FP1 practice had higher CP (13.7%) compared to those in FP2 (10.9%). There was higher average milk yield from cows under FP1 in the highland (11.6 kg) compared to their counterparts. Cows under FP1 on the lowland had similar (P>0.05) average milk yield (8.7 kg) to those under FP2 in the highland zone (9.47 kg). Cows under FP3 in the lowland produced the lowest (P<0.05) milk yield of 4.61 kg. The study concluded that differences in socioeconomic characteristics of farmers and altitude zones have influence on the adaptation and domination of a specific feeding practice, which ultimately determines the level of performance of the dairy cattle. It is recommended that more studies are required to assess the influence of feeding and other management practices of dairy cows on the environmental effects.

VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

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