Proximate Composition and Aflatoxin Safety of Six Major Fresh Fodder Crops in Somaliland

Abstract

Livestock production in Somaliland is a key economic sector, but its performance depends heavily on the availability of safe and nutritious fodder under increasing rangeland degradation and drought stress. This study evaluated the proximate composition and aflatoxin contamination of six major fodder crops grown under Somaliland conditions. The experiment was conducted at the Aburin Center of Research and Training from 2024 to 2025, while laboratory analyses performed at the Somaliland Quality Control Commission. Six species: Cenchrus ciliaris, Panicum antidotale, Urochloa hybrid cv. Mulato II, Sorghum halepense, Cenchrus purpureus, and Lablab purpureus were grown under uniform conditions and harvested at 90 days. Samples were analyzed using ISO methods for proximate composition, while total aflatoxins were determined by HPLC (ISO 16050). Substantial variation in proximate composition was observed among fodder species. Napier grass recorded the highest crude protein (29.90% fresh weight) and metabolizable energy (165.96 kcal/kg DM), followed by lablab (28.73% CP; 163.53 kcal/kg DM). Buffel grass and Johnson grass exhibited higher fiber (>5.3%) and lower protein levels. Aflatoxin concentrations were below the detection (<1.00 µg/kg) in five species, while only Johnson grass showed a detectable level (1.63 µg/kg), which remained within international safety thresholds. Contrary to the expectation that legumes surpass grasses in protein, Napier grass outperformed lablab at 90 days, attributed to differential phenology: Lablab reached reproductive maturity earlier, causing protein dilution, while Napier grass maintained vegetative growth. Napier grass was identified as a high-quality source of protein and energy for livestock finishing, while Lablab remains valuable as a supplementary forage. Further studies are recommended to evaluate seasonal variation and on-farm performance under local production conditions.