Collaborative research on sustainable intensification of forage innovations in Kersa district, Jimma Zone A field day report 1Solomon Tullu, 1Melkamu Mamuye, 2Kindu Mekonnen, 2Million Gebereyes and 2Haimanot Seifu 1Jimma university 2International Livestock Research Institute November 2025 ©2025 International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) ILRI thanks all donors and organizations which globally support its work through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund. This publication is copyrighted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). It is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. To view this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0. Unless otherwise noted, you are free to share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format), adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material) for any purpose, even commercially, under the following condition: ATTRIBUTION. 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Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI. https://www.cgiar.org/funders https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 Contents Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 4 Objective of the field day .......................................................................................................................... 4 Field trials visited ............................................................................................................................................ 5 Field day reflections ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Annex ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Agenda ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 List of participants and Organizations ........................................................................................ 8 Photos from the field day event ...................................................................................................... 11 Introduction The Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (JUCAVM), in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), organized a farmer’s field day on November 6, 2025, to showcase sustainable feed and forage innovations. The event, held in the Babo and Tikur Balto kebeles of Kersa district, Jimma Zone, brought together 50 participants, including farmers, researchers, livestock experts, and local administrators. This field day provided a vital platform for sharing experiences, lessons, and research outcomes from collaborative interventions designed to improve feed availability, soil fertility, and livestock productivity. The showcased research focuses on the sustainable intensification of mixed crop-livestock systems through multi-location adaptation trials of improved grass and legume forages, as well as the intercropping of maize with forage legumes like lablab and soybean. Participants had the opportunity to visit these innovations firsthand, engage in practical discussions, and gain technical insights from JUCAVM researchers and case farmers. Objectives of the field day The objectives of the field day were to demonstrate and share practical experiences on sustainable forage innovations among farmers and researchers, raise awareness, and encourage the adoption of improved forage technologies to enhance livestock productivity. Additionally, the event aimed to strengthen collaboration and promote the scaling up of successful practices to address feed shortage challenges in Jimma Zone. Field trials visited Participants visited a multi-location adaptation trial featuring five improved grass species and four improved legume species. This trial aims to evaluate the adaptability and performance of these forages under local farming conditions to promote sustainable feed production. By identifying the most suitable varieties, the project contributes to bridge feed gaps for local farmers enhance livestock productivity. Field day reflections The field day fostered active engagement through interactive presentations, field demonstrations, and farmer-led discussions. Key technologies highlighted included: • Forage diversification and the use of feed chopper machines. • Maize-forage legume intercropping systems. During the field visits, researchers and case farmers presented ongoing activities, while participants shared their observations. Experts from Jimma University provided technical explanations, emphasizing how these A photo on. legume-maize intercropping interventions in Kersa district. Photo credit Melkamu Mamuye practices contribute to the sustainable intensification of mixed farming systems. Discussions underscored the critical link between feed shortages and low livestock productivity, highlighting the need for scalable solutions to improve smallholder livelihoods. The project team emphasized the importance of sustainable intensification, efficient feed resource utilization, and outlined a way forward for scaling up these successful practices. Key Discussion Insights: • The maize-forage legume intercropping demonstrations serve as valuable knowledge hubs for local farmers. • Farmers should plan for effective forage utilization, particularly during the dry season. • There is a need to promote perennial forages like Desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) and napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) in the area. • Timing of maize harvest is crucial to avoid reduced productivity and to ensure proper forage storage. • Mixing legumes with maize stover is recommended to improve feed nutritional quality. • Successful technologies should be scaled up to additional kebeles. • Integrating grass forage varieties with soil conservation practices is essential for long-term sustainability. • Access to quality forage seeds must be improved, and farmers should be encouraged to share seeds with others. • Efforts should focus on creating demand for forage, especially with the expansion of livestock production and improved cattle breeds. • Practical support, including the provision of various forage seeds and planting materials, is needed to scale up successful innovations Annex Agenda Collaborative Research on Sustainable Intensification of Feed and Forage Innovations Field visit program at Jimma Zone, Kersa districts 06 November 2025 Local time Activity Facilitator Kersa District 2:30- 3:00 Participants depart from Jimma to Kersa, Tikur Balto kebele Melkamu M. / 3:00- 3:10 Welcome and introduction to the Ajenda Melkamu M. 3:10- 3:40 Opening remark Dr. Solomon Tullu 3:40- 7:00 Visit to selected farms 1. Multi location adaptation trial of forage grass and legume species in Tikur Balto Kebele (Seifu’s Ababiya’s farm) 2. Maize-legume species intercropping experiment in Tikur-Balto Kebele (Abatamam Abagidi’s farm) 3. Multi location adaptation trial of forage legume species in Babo Kebele (Alafaya’s farm) 4. Multi location adaptation trial of forage grass species in Babo Kebele (Mohammed Sani’s farm) 5. Demonstration of forage chopper machine • explanation expert on its benefits, method of operation, • Q&A sessions Host farmers/ Melkamu 7:00- 8:00 General discussion and feedback session at Babo kebele Dr. Solomon, Dr. Fikremariam, 8:00- 8:20 Closing remark Mr. Abebe from Jimma Zone Agri. office List of participants and Organizations S.N Name Gender Organization/Occupation 1 Amina A/Fita F Tikur Balto kebele agri.office 2 Saida A/Biya F Babo kebele agri.office 3 Rais A/Temam M Tikur Balto kebele agri.office 4 Wubishet Tesema M Babo kebele agri.office 5 Derartu A/Nega F Tikur balto kebele agri.office 6 Wakene Banti F Kersa Woreda Agri office 7 Seifu Abdulkarim M Kersa Woreda Agri office 8 Temesgen Tsegaye M Kersa Woreda Agri office 9 Girma Haile M Kersa Woreda Agri office 10 Nigatua Abera F Babo kebele agri.office 11 Abatemam A/Diga M Farmer 12 Seifu A/Biya M Farmer 13 Mohamed A/Dura M Farmer 14 Misbahi Nasir M Farmer 15 Yakota Mohamed M Farmer 16 Fati A/Zinab M Farmer 17 Awel Taju M Farmer 18 A/Nega A/Bor M Farmer 19 A/Rijal A/Dura M Farmer 20 Nezif A/Dura M Farmer 21 Nezif A/Dura M Farmer 22 Tofik Sh/Nasir M Farmer 23 Momina Sh/Hussein F Farmer 24 Momadsani A/Bulgu M Farmer 25 A/Zinab A/Gisa M Farmer 26 A/Zinab A/Bulgu M Farmer 27 Mohamed A/Sembi M Farmer 28 Jihad A/Bor M Farmer 29 Mohamed Abdulkadir M Farmer 30 A/Reya A/Fita M Farmer 31 Sh/Gali A/Garo M Farmer 32 Nasir A/Bor M Farmer 33 Awal A/Reya M Farmer 34 Mohamed Kasim M Farmer 35 Tofik Raya M Farmer 36 Temam A/Reya M Farmer 37 Mohamed A/Gidi M Farmer 38 Jihad A/Bulgu M Farmer 39 Bahiru Temam M Farmer 40 Ahmed A/Fira M Farmer 41 Anwar A/Gidi M Farmer 42 Bayise Mohamed F Jimma Zone Agri/Livestock Expert 43 Abebe Barecha M Jimma Zone Agri/Livestock Expert 44 Dr. Solomon Tullu M Jimma University 45 Dr. Fikremariam Geda M Jimma University 46 Dr. Bayu Dume M Jimma University 47 Melkamu Memuye M Jimma University 48 Dinkina Mijana M Jimma University 49 Zebenay Niguse F Jimma University 50 Alemtsehay Sisay F JU-Camera man 51 Alidan Mohammed M FANA-FM-Journalist 52 Fresenbet Shibiru M Jimma University 53 Bezawit Mekonnen F Jimma University 54 Jima Nego M Jimma University 55 Kumela Dibaba M Jimma University 56 Temam A/Reya M Farmer 57 Mohamed A/Gidi M Farmer 58 Jihad A/Bulgu M Farmer 59 Bahiru Temam M Farmer 60 Anwar A/Gidi M Farmer 61 Reshad A/Meca M Farmer 62 Ahmed A/Fira M Farmer 63 Anwar A/Gidi M Farmer 64 Reshad A/Meca M Farmer 65 Kazina A/Temam F Farmer 66 Biya A/Gisa M Farmer 67 Biya aba godu M Nada chala Kebele Agri Office 68 Anwar Jemal M Nada Chala kebele Agri. Office 69 Tsegaye Yohanis M Omo-Nada woreda Agri.office 70 Fira A/dura M Farmer 71 Munir Yasin M Farmer 72 Amin A/moga M Farmer 73 Kalifa A/jabal M Farmer 74 Taajuu A/Giddii M Farmer 75 Tiijjaanii A/Saambii M Farmer Photos from the field day event Photos showing participants visiting farmers plot and sharing ideas. Photo credit: Melkamu Mamuye/JU Introduction Objectives of the field day Field trials visited Field day reflections Annex Agenda List of participants and Organizations Photos from the field day event