Proceedings of the FAO Expert Consultation held at the Malaysian Agricultural Research
and Development Institute (MARDI) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 14–18 October 1991

Fodder trees and fodder shrubs have always played a significant role in feeding domestic animals. In fact, trees and shrubs are increasingly recognized as important components of animal feeding, particularly as suppliers of protein and especially in harsh environmental conditions. In such situations, the available grazing is not generally sufficient to meet the maintenance requirements of animals, at least for part of the year. This occurs, for example, in some mountainous regions and in the dry tropics where the grazing is also sometimes very degraded. Thus, in extensive, animal production systems in the dry areas of Africa, it is generally estimated that ligneous materials contribute up to 90% of rangeland production and account for 40–50% of the total available feed. Such figures illustrate the existing and urgent need not only for better knowledge but also for better use of such potential, particularly in the present context of environmental degradation which is affecting our planet.

The proposed objectives of this interdisciplinary Expert Consultation on Fodder trees and fodder shrubs as protein sources for livestock were:

• a global review of the utilization of these species in the developing countries;

• a review of promising species already utilized by farmers and breeders in the field or investigated by scientists in different countries and agro-climatic zones (basic and applied research);

• a short up-to-date list of species with a likely future;

• a synthesis, related to the main fodder trees and shrubs, either effectively utilized today in animal feeding or with a likely future, looking at the current state of knowledge.