ASSESSMENT OF LEPTADENIA HASTATA AND ITS UTILIZATION AS ANIMAL FEEDS IN DRY SEASON OF SOME SELECTED VILLEGES IN DUTSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF JIGAWA STATE

Abstract

Study was conducted to assess utilization of Leptadenia hastata as animal feed in some selected villages of Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, a semi-arid region experiences shortage duration of rain falls and long duration of dry season, which causing feed scarcity in the region. (100) structural questionnaires were administered to obtained background information of the respondents on the use of L. hastata as animal feed. Twenty seven percent respondents aged below 30 years, 21% age group between 30-45, 30% represents 46-60years,16% represents 61-75 years, only 6% represents above 75 age groups. Fifty eight percent respondents were married, 24% were single, 10% were divorced, only 8% respondents were widowed. Majority of the respondents were females with 63%. Ninety percent were Muslims, 7% Christians and 3% pagan. Majority of the respondents were Hausa with 65%, only 35% represents Fulani. 6-10 house hold size has the highest number with 39%, with least having 9% house hold size >Sixteen. 46, 23, 13, and 12% have acquired Qur’anic, primary, secondary and tertiary education. Only 6% of the respondents has acquired adult education respectively. Seventy percent respondents fed L. hastata during feed scarcity, 20% used L. hastata for milk enhancement, 8 % fed L. hastata for supplementation, only 2% fed L. hastata for fattening. Sixty percent respondents fed L. hastata as fresh, 40% fed as wilted or processed and consider it toxic feed. The data were analyzed using simple percentage. L. hastata were used in the study area and recommended as animal feed.