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Cambodia is an agrarian country where farming systems are traditionally based on rice cultivation (Yang Saing Koma 1997; Khieu Borin 1996; Maclean 1998). In this context, it has been recognized that livestock play an important role in human society, especially the large ruminants, such as local breeds of cattle and buffaloes, which have occupied an important position as the livestock component of the systems (Maclean 1998). Nevertheless, small ruminants such as goats have been used for meat production in certain areas of the country (Tilchit 1981; Yang Saing Koma 1997; Maclean 1998), as occurs in other neighboring regions (Devendra 1993).
In integrated farming systems, the livestock are able to utilize feed sources that are rejected by humans, such as kitchen wastes, grass from unused land or wastelands, crop residues (Schier and Kater 2001) and foliage from tree plant species, to convert into valuable production. In this case goats have a role to play as they have the potential to use crop residues and foliage from tree plant species, that are not consumed by other animals (Goatcher and Church 1970). They are sources of multiple products, such as meat, milk, fibre, social status and income, while dung and urine are valuable for fertilizing gardens and fields (Schier and Kater 2001) and serving as a substrate for earthworms (Nguyen Quang Suc et al 2000). However, the practice of goat husbandry has not been extensively used in Cambodia as yet (Maclean 1998), although goat production would appear to be more feasible for poor farmers, from the point of view of financial inputs.
Trees and shrubs play an important role in the farming system, because they are sources of edible biomass, especially in the dry season. They also provide shade for the soil and for animals. The idea of introducing trees and shrubs into cropping and grazing systems is to provide green fodder high in protein to supplement the available low protein grasses and cop residues (Leng 1997). In Cambodia it has been observed that in the dry season, or when the land is flooded, period, the farmers traditionally use the leaves and foliages from trees and shrubs to feed their animals, due to shortage of grass.
· To report several observations made on the feeding behaviour, intake and digestibility of tree foliages in growing goats.
· To identify constraints related to goat feeding, production and reproduction that are met by farmers
Devendra C 1993 Goats and sheep in Asia. In: Small ruminant production in the humid tropics (M. Wodzicka-Tomasweska, S. Gardiner, A. Djajanegara, I.M. Mastika and T.R. Viradarya, editors) Sebelas Maret University Press p 1-33
Goatcher W D and Church D C 1970 Taste responses in ruminants. IV. Reaction of pygmy goats, normal goats, sheep and cattle to acetic acid and quinine hydrochloride. Journal of Animal Science. No. 31. pp. 373-382.
Khieu Borin 1996 A Study on the Use of the Sugar Palm Tree (Borassus Flabellifer) for different Purposes in Cambodia. MSc. Thesis. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala.
Leng R 1997 Tree foliage in ruminant nutrition. FAO, Animal Production and Health. Paper 139.
Maclean M 1998 Livestock in Cambodian rice farming systems. Cambodia-IRRI-Australia Project. Phnom Penh pp 104
Nguyen Quang Suc, Le Thi Thu Ha and Dinh Van Binh 2000 Manure from Rabbits, Goat Cattle and Buffaloes as Substrate for Earthworms. Workshop-Seminar. Making better Use of Local Feed Resources. http://www.mekarn/sarpro/sucew.htm
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Tilchit L 1981 L’Agriculture au Cambodge. Agence de Cooperation Culturelle et Technique. Paris.
Yang Saing Koma 1997 Sustainable Agriculture Country Profile. Cambodia. Centre d’Etude et de Developpement Agricole Cambodgien. Phnom Penh pp 41