UTILIZATION OF CAMEL’S FOOT (PILIOSTIGMA RETICULATUM) (Hochst.) PODS AMONG RUMINANT FARMERS IN ARUGUNGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

A survey was conducted in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State comprising of 3 villages. A structured questionnaire was administered to 60 farmers within the study area. The data collected was analyzed by using simple statistical tools such as frequency counts and percentages. Majority (48.33%) of the respondents reared cattle, sheep and goats with about 48.33% having the highest flock/herd size of about 21-30 animals. Most (90%) of the farmers offered Kalgo parts as feed to their animals in combination with other ingredients and about 58.33% offered Kalgo parts in dried form to feed their animals with sheep and goats (58.93%) preferring Kalgo parts most. The parts of the Kalgo mostly preferred by ruminants indicated that the pods are mostly (70%) preferred and 21.67% of animals prefers the leaves alone. Kalgo parts is obtained for usage in the dry season as agreed by all (100%) the respondents with about 61.67% covering a distance of 1- 2km from their homes/farms before obtaining Kalgo for usage. About 75% and15% obtained the kalgo parts by self and by purchase respectively. The parts are offered as whole as observed in this study, there is no any form of processing such as grinding, pounding and milling done on the leaves/pods before serving it to the animals. All the respondents (100%) in the study area agreed to the fact that Kalgo is naturally occurring plant. The
results obtained in this work revealed that Kalgo is an important browse for ruminant production among the farmers.