Online Reporter
Talking farming Ronald Veremu
AS Zimbabwe continues to experience recurrent droughts and increasing climate variability, livestock farmers are being challenged to find alternative feed sources to sustain their animals during periods of feed scarcity.
Natural grazing lands are becoming less reliable, crop residue production is often reduced by poor rainfall and the cost of commercial stockfeeds continues to rise.
Against this backdrop, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) offer an important but often underutilized opportunity for livestock farmers. For generations, rural communities have relied on indigenous trees and shrubs to supplement livestock diets during drought periods. However, the growing importance of climate-resilient livestock production calls for a more systematic and sustainable utilisation of these valuable resources.
Non-timber forest products are biological resources obtained from forests, woodlands, and trees that do not involve harvesting timber for wood production. These include fruits, seeds, pods, leaves, flowers, bark, roots, gums, honey, medicinal plants and forage materials that can be used for human consumption, livestock feeding and income generation.
In livestock production, non-timber forest feed resources refer to edible materials obtained from trees and shrubs that can be used to supplement animal diets, particularly during the dry season when conventional grazing becomes scarce. Zimbabwe’s woodlands contain numerous indigenous species that provide valuable nutrients for cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys and other domestic livestock.
The importance of non-timber forest feed resources has increased significantly in recent years due to frequent droughts and shrinking grazing areas. These resources offer several advantages. They remain available when grasses have dried up, they provide valuable protein, energy, minerals and vitamins and they help maintain livestock body condition during droughts, they reduce dependence on expensive commercial feeds, they improve animal survival during prolonged dry periods and they provide a locally available and affordable feed source.
For smallholder farmers with limited financial resources, tree-based feeds can mean the difference between retaining livestock assets and suffering devastating losses during drought years.
Zimbabwe is endowed with numerous indigenous tree species that can contribute significantly to livestock nutrition.
Some commonly used species include:
Acacia Species (Umbrella Thorn and Related Species)
Acacia trees produce nutrient-rich pods that are highly palatable to cattle, goats, sheep, and wildlife. The pods are particularly valuable because they contain energy and moderate levels of protein.
Mopane (Colophospermum mopane)
Mopane leaves are widely browsed by goats and cattle, especially in the drier regions of Matabeleland, Masvingo and parts of the Midlands Province.
Musasa (Brachystegia spiciformis)
Musasa leaves and young shoots can provide supplementary feed during periods of feed shortage.
Mutondo (Julbernardia globiflora)
This common woodland species provides browse material for goats and cattle.
Baobab (Adansonia digitata)
Baobab leaves and fruits have long been used as livestock feed supplements. The leaves are particularly rich in minerals and vitamins.
Marula (Sclerocarya birrea)
Livestock consume fallen fruits, leaves, and young shoots, particularly during the dry season.
Leucaena and Sesbania
Although not indigenous, these planted fodder trees have become increasingly popular among farmers due to their high protein content and rapid growth.
Different tree species provide different feed resources. Commonly utilized parts include leaves, pods, fruits, flowers, young shoots and seeds
For goats, leaves and tender shoots are often the most important feed components because goats are natural browsers. Cattle tend to benefit more from pods and fallen fruits, while sheep utilise a combination of leaves, pods and browse materials. The nutritional value of these materials varies according to species, season, maturity stage and environmental conditions.
To maximise the benefits of non-timber forest feed resources, farmers should consider proper processing and preservation techniques. Pods from species such as acacia can be collected when mature and stored in dry conditions for use during feed shortages. Proper storage prevents mould growth and nutrient losses.
Leaves from suitable fodder trees can be harvested, dried under shade and ground into leaf meal. The leaf meal can then be mixed with other feed ingredients to improve nutritional quality.
Small branches with leaves can be harvested and dried before storage. This allows farmers to create feed reserves for drought periods. Tree leaves and pods can be incorporated into homemade feed blocks together with molasses, crop residues and mineral supplements to provide balanced nutrition. By preserving feed during periods of abundance, farmers can create strategic feed reserves that improve drought preparedness.
While non-timber forest feed resources offer many benefits, farmers should exercise caution when incorporating them into livestock diets. Tree feeds should complement rather than completely replace conventional grazing. Animals require balanced diets that provide adequate energy, protein, minerals and fibre. Some tree species contain compounds such as tannins that may reduce feed intake or nutrient utilisation when consumed in excessive quantities.
Farmers are therefore encouraged to seek guidance from livestock extension officers regarding appropriate feeding levels. Livestock should be introduced gradually to unfamiliar feed resources to avoid digestive disturbances and allow adaptation. Not all tree species are suitable for all livestock classes. Understanding the nutritional characteristics of different species helps improve feeding efficiency.
The increasing use of forest resources for livestock feeding should not come at the expense of environmental sustainability. Unsustainable harvesting practices can lead to woodland degradation, soil erosion, reduced biodiversity and declining availability of future feed resources.
Farmers should therefore adopt sustainable harvesting practices such as selective pruning rather than cutting down entire trees, harvesting only portions of branches, allowing trees sufficient recovery time, establishing fodder tree plantations and protecting young regenerating trees from damage. Sustainable management ensures that future generations continue to benefit from these valuable resources.
Zimbabwe’s forests and woodlands support both domestic livestock and wildlife populations. During drought periods, competition for browse resources can become intense, particularly in areas adjacent to national parks, conservancies and wildlife corridors.
Farmers and communities must therefore strive to maintain a balance between livestock production and wildlife conservation. This can be achieved through community-based natural resource management, controlled harvesting systems, establishment of dedicated fodder banks, rangeland restoration initiatives, promotion of agroforestry systems and protection of key wildlife habitats. A healthy ecosystem supports both productive livestock enterprises and thriving wildlife populations.
As climate change continues to reshape agricultural production systems, non-timber forest feed resources are becoming increasingly important for building resilience within Zimbabwe’s livestock sector. These resources provide affordable, locally available and environmentally sustainable feed options that can help farmers navigate periods of drought and feed shortages.
However, their long-term value will depend on responsible utilization, sustainable harvesting and careful integration into broader livestock feeding strategies. For many Zimbabwean livestock farmers, the solution to future feed challenges may already be growing in the woodlands surrounding their communities.
Ronald Veremu is an independent livestock and agriculture development specialist. He writes in his own capacity.
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