Utilization of Crop Residues for Livestock Feeds Among Rural Dwellers in Osun State, Nigeria.

livestock feeds among rural dwellers in Osun state, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling procedure was used in this study to obtain a total of 200 respondents as sample size. Data was collected using an interview schedule and both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The average age of the respondents was 58.1 years, the respondents had one form of formal education or the other with majority(34.0%) having secondary education. Crop residues mostly used by respondents included Yam peel (96.0%), Cassava peel (98.5%), Cowpea husk and vines (91.0%), and Vegetable leaves (92.5%), Knowledge of the respondents on the use of crop residues for livestock feed revealed that majority of the respondents were aware that crop residues can be used for livestock feeds (100%), and aware of different methods of harvesting crop residues (98.0%). Level of crop residues for livestock feeds showed that majority (64.0%) of the respondents were grouped as having low utilization. Barriers that hindered utilization of crop residues for livestock feeds showed that difficulty in processing crop residues (x̄ =1.86) was ranked first, inability to collect and transport (x̄ =1.77) was ranked second, lack of knowledge about proper use (x̄ =1.76) was ranked third. This study concluded that the utilization of crop residues for livestock feeds was low among rural dwellers in the study area due to difficulty in processing crop residues, lack of knowledge about proper use of crop residues. To improve the knowledge of rural dwellers about proper use of crop residues for livestock feed, there is need for extension organizations in Osun state to organize workshops on crop residue management focusing on nutritional value, processing and storage techniques among rural dwellers raising livestock in the study area.