The production of dual-purpose cowpea varieties (grain and fodder) is a traditional method to get access to high quality fodder. The groundnut haulm is also generally considered a good quality fodder. For groundnuts, the haulm’s quality deteriotes after harvest because the plants are left to dry on the ground. A better method for drying the groundnut haulm has been developed as shown in figure 1. Another alternative to get access to good quality fodder is to establish fodder banks with Gliricidia sepium. The leaves of this tree must be dried before being given to animals. Fodder banks must be protected against roaming animals.

The use of the microdose method also doubles the millet and sorghum straw yield and represents a source of fodder for intensification of Sahelian farming. 

Another approach to improve the quality and quantity of fodder is to promote regeneration or to plant Faidherbia albida in the millet fields. The leaves of this tree have good fodder quality. Assisted natural regeneration is less costly than planting trees.

Production of hay is another method to improve quality and quantity of fodder. Wild grasses can be cut at the time of flowering and dried in the field or under a shed. This is a low cost method for improving the quality of fodder.

Another low-cost method is to harvest cereals at the time of physiological maturity instead of at full maturity. At the time of physiological maturity the grain yield is at its peak, but the quality of the straw is much higher. The inconvenience is that the grains and straw will have to be dried after harvesting in order to be stored safely. At the time of physiological maturity the grains are turning hard.

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