IDENTIFICATION AND UTILIZATION OF NATIVE FORAGES BY HOUSEHOLDS IN BORGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

A survey was conducted during the 2024 rainy season using structured questionnaires which were administered to 60 randomly selected respondents to evaluate the knowledge of households on identification, utilization and preference of uncultivated forages in savanna areas of Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria.

Data collected were analyzed using simple statistical tools such as frequency counts and percentages. A total of seven (7) naturally occurring forage species were encountered comprising three (3) legumes species namely; Casia tora (herb), Parkia Biglobosa (tree) and Gliricidia sepium (tree), one (1) grass species (Pennisetum

purpureum) two (2) forbs species; Corchorus olitorius (herb) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (herb). The results revealed that all respondents (100%) consumed forages with majority (40% and 86.70%) consumed in cooked form and along with other ingredients, respectively. Forage parts consumed by households included; leaves,

fruits, flowers, stems and roots with leaves being the most (41.70%) consumed part while the least (8.30%) consumed part were flowers. Effects of consumed forages to the body varies among the respondents with majority (35%) agreed on health benefits while the least (8.30%) agreed on easy child birth as a benefit. Most of

the respondents (68.30%) obtained forages during the rainy season which is the period of abundant supply of these plants particularly the herbaceous species while (31.70%) of respondents obtained forages during the dry season. The study indicated high level of awareness among households and effective utilization of uncultivated forages for various benefits.