Study on Nutritional Characterization of Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) as Forage in Kenya’s Rangelands

The potential utility of drought-resilient and under-utilized Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) as livestock forage supplements has not been indisputably determined under the Kenyan conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine plausible pathways in the search for alternative feeding innovations to combat feed scarcity and feed quality as well as providing ideal interventions for adapting climate resilient livestock production systems. Arid and semi-arid areas of Baringo, Laikipia and Nyeri were selected for this study due to the prevalence of Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) in these counties. The qualitative changes in nutrient content of Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) are hypothesized to be linked to anatomical characteristics, physiological condition as well as phenological stage of plant growth. Proximate analytical techniques were used in evaluation of nutrient content of Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) using on-farm forage sampling. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) methods were used to isolate the absence or presence of morphological and plant stage of growth significant treatment effects on Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) samples. Significant (P<0.001) crude protein (CP) content (14.9%) was observed in young spiny and spineless Cactus cladodes. Spiny and spineless (Opuntia ficus indica) Cactus were not significantly (P>0.05) different in terms of nutritional quality. Mature cladodes of spineless Cactus had the highest crude fibre (CF) content (32%). Ripe fruits of Cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) had significantly (P<0.001) higher nitrogen free extracts (NFE) (39.6%) content than other plant parts. The high CP and high energy levels (39.6% NFE) of Cactus species authenticate the value of under-utilized drought-resilient forages as alternative supplementary sources of feed for livestock in the truncated landscapes of Kenya. Cactus species cladodes and fruits are thus ideal non-conventional feedstuffs, and are recommended as alternative feed resources for substituting scarce and expensive conventional energy feed sources in Kenya’s dry lands.