Experimental storage of straw in stacks in the management of natural pasture resources in Sahelian area

Abstract

In order to improve the management of natural pasture resources, experimental storage of straw in stacks has been made in Niger since1988 in three Sahelian pastoral areas. The labour and investments as well as the forage value of stored products have been evaluated. Various modes of utilisation of these resources are proposed in keeping with the climatic problems of this zone due to rainfalls. Proposals for technical improvements are given, but subsequent experiments depend on the farmers interest for these techniques. Although simple and theoretically profit earning, these methods can perhaps not be integrated into the traditional Sahelian pastoral systems.