Panicum maximum seeds from sugarcane plantations improves household incomes in Uganda
Guinea grass is a widely distributed species in Uganda.It usually grows under shade, hence poses a weed problem in plantations.Its panicles are widely used to make brooms, a livelihood strategy for a number of women and children living on sugarcane estates in central Uganda.The brooms are on high demand, especially in peri‐and urban areas.In order to make quality brooms, it is essential that the panicles are cleared of all the attached seed.Panicum maximum is one of the most recommended grass species for pasture establishment in Uganda.Progressive farmers, practicing intensive dairy production usually import grass seed.A study was, therefore,conducted to assess the potential of broom makers to provide quality seed of P.maximum for establishing grass based pastures.The proposed opportunistic way of harvesting grass seeds would not only improve income to households relying on selling brooms but would also avail scarce pasture seed to improve livestock productivity.
brooms pasture ecotypes panicles
P.Lusembo C.Ebong
Mukono ZonaLagricultural Research and Development Institute,P.O.Box 164,Mukono
国际会议
呼和浩特
英文
2008-06-29（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）