Survey on the use of Peanut Haulms (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Livestock Feeding in the Urban Area of Korhogo (Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

Peanut haulms are locally available crop residues that may contribute to livestock feeding, particularly during periods of forage scarcity. This questionnaire-based survey, conducted in 2020, described the use of peanut haulms and other agricultural by-products by livestock farmers in the urban area of Korhogo, northern Côte d’Ivoire. A questionnaire was administered to 118 cattle and sheep farmers distributed across 15 urban districts. Information was collected on respondent characteristics, livestock-production systems, feed resources, seasonal use patterns, farmer preferences and constraints affecting the use of agricultural by-products. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to assess associations between categorical variables. Men represented 92% of respondents; 62% were 31–60 years old, 73% were Ivorian nationals, and 72% had no formal literacy. Sheep farming, cattle farming, and mixed cattle–sheep farming were practised by 41%, 37% and 22% of respondents, respectively. Dried peanut haulms were reported as the most frequently used agricultural by-product for sheep and cattle, with respective use frequencies of 52% and 42%. Fresh grass was used by 33% of sheep farmers and 36% of cattle farmers. During the rainy pre-harvest period, fresh grass was the principal feed resource, with a reported frequency of 60.71%. During the dry post-harvest period, dried peanut haulms were most frequently used, at 67%. Respondents associated their feed choices mainly with perceived animal growth, welfare, satiety and palatability. Transport and storage were the most frequently reported constraints. The findings describe the importance of peanut haulms as a seasonal livestock feed resource in the surveyed urban area.