| Summary: | Livestock are central to the livelihoods and economies of most African countries. The dominant production systems (mixed crop-livestock, pastoral, and agropastoral) depend heavily on feed resources, which represent the largest cost in livestock production. However, inadequate feed quantity and quality remain major constraints to productivity. Recurrent droughts and land degradation further worsen feed scarcity, increasing the vulnerability of smallholder systems.
A sustainable solution lies in promoting improved forage production, preservation, and utilization practices, underpinned by the availability of high-quality forage seeds. Yet, most African countries still lack well-structured forage seed systems, and technical capacity remains limited at both national and regional levels.
To address these challenges, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), in collaboration with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) program, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), organized a four-day regional training workshop on forage seed production, processing, and handling. The event brought together agricultural experts involved in livestock development and seed systems across partner countries. The initiative aimed to strengthen technical capacity and close knowledge gaps to enhance sustainable forage seed systems and more resilient livestock production in Africa.
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