Farmers’ Perception and Evaluation of Brachiaria Grass (Brachiaria spp.) Genotypes for Smallholder Cereal-Livestock Production in East Africa

Abstract

Brachiaria (Urochloa) is a genus, common name brachiaria, of forage grasses that is increasingly transforming integrated crop-livestock production systems in East Africa. A study was undertaken to (i) assess smallholder farmers’ perception on benefits of brachiaria in cereal-livestock production, (ii) identify brachiaria production constraints, and (iii) identify farmer preferred brachiaria genotypes. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted for sample selection. Data were collected through semi-structured individual questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study areas included Bondo, Siaya, Homabay and Mbita sub-counties in Western Kenya and the Lake zone of Tanzania. A total of 223 farmers participated in individual response questionnaires while 80 farmers participated in the FGDs. The respondents considered brachiaria mainly important in management of cereal pests (70.4% of respondents) and as an important fodder (60.8%). The major production constraint perceived by both male and female respondents is attacks by arthropods pests (49.2% and 63%, respectively). Spider smites had been observed on own farms by 50.8% of men and 63.1% of women, while sorghum shoot flies had been observed by 58.1% of men and 67.9% of women. These pests were rated as a moderate to severe problem. Xaraes was the most preferred genotype, followed by Mulato II and Piata. These genotypes are important in developing new crop pest management strategies, such as push-pull, and for relatively rapid improvements in crop management and yield increases, particularly in developing countries.

1. Introduction

Brachiaria (Urochloa) is a genus in Poaceae family commonly called brachiaria and grown for forage in Latin America, Asia, South Pacific, and Australia [1]. A widely grown species Brachiaria brizantha represents 85% of cultivated pastures in brazil alone [2]. In Africa, where they originate from, they are natural constituents of grasslands in eastern, central, and southern regions [3]. Brachiaria is recently identified as an ideal fodder that can improve livestock production in eastern Africa. This is due to its adaptability to low fertility areas, arid, and semiarid zones of sub-Saharan Africa [3]. There are several initiatives in the region aimed at promoting cultivation of brachiaria to support the emerging livestock industry [4].

A reduction of fall armyworm, (Spodoptera frugiperda) damage was recently observed in push-pull technology (PPT) plots as compared to farmers’ practice [5]. Furthermore, desmodium enhances soil integrity. Further, Brachiaria cv. Mulato II is an important companion crop used as a trap plant in a push-pull technology (PPT, www.push-pull.net). Developed by International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe, Nairobi, Kenya), Rothamsted Research (Harpenden, UK), and national partners, PPT is a conservation agriculture system for integrated pest, weed, and soil fertility management in crop–livestock farming systems [6,7]. The system involves intercropping the main crop, either maize Zea mays L. or sorghum Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench with a fodder legume, silverleaf desmodium Desmodium uncinatum (Jacq.) DC., and surrounded with Napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum [8]. The climate smart variant uses drought tolerant green leaf desmodium, Desmodium intortum (Mill.) Urb., and brachiaria B. brizantha cv Mulato II as the border crop [9,10]. Desmodium releases chemicals that repel stemborers, while volatile chemicals from Napier grass or brachiaria attract the insects and their natural enemies. Through this chemistry, PPT significantly reduces the infestation of cereal stemborers Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Noctuidae) and Chilo partellus Swinhoe (Crambidae) [10,11,12,13]. Significant through nitrogen fixation improves soil organic content and conserves the soil moisture [14,15]. Root exudates of desmodium cause the abortive germination of a noxious weed striga Striga haemonthica, therefore providing additional benefits in weed management [11]. On the other hand, brachiaria is a high-value forage crop that facilitates milk production and diversifies farmers’ sources of income. A recent study shows that B. brizantha cv Piata has higher content of dry matter, crude protein, and organic matter than Napier grass [16]. Some species of brachiaria reduce emission of nitrous oxide from the soil through biological nitrification inhibition [17,18].

Agriculture is an economic mainstay in most developing countries of the tropics. It is characterized by smallholder mixed crop-livestock systems where rain-fed crops and livestock are raised on the same farm [19]. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), smallholder farming is a major source of food production and income, contributing up to 80 percent of food consumed [20]. Crops mostly cultivated in the region are, in order, maize, cassava, rice, sorghum, wheat, and millet, while livestock species include cattle, goats, and sheep [19]. However, production in the region is constrained by climate change related biotic and abiotic constraints, including pests and disease outbreaks, extreme weather conditions, among others. This poses a threat to food security and livelihood in communities dependent on agriculture [21,22]. More than 250,000 smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa have used push-pull technology to manage stemborers, fall armyworm, noxious Striga weeds, and soil fertility, and to generate livestock fodder [23].

The value of brachiaria to African agriculture observed thus far can be optimized by addressing the current and foreseeable production constraints. Yet, the few genotypes that are commercialized in Africa were developed for the Americas and Australia thus a higher risk of pest and disease attacks, coupled with poor adaptability to local environments. There is, remarkably, a wide genetic variation in the genus Brachiaria [24] that can be exploited in breeding programs for locally adapted genotypes. Recent studies identified brachiaria genotypes that combine drought tolerance and moderate resistance to spider mites [25,26]. Among these genotypes, some are attractive to oviposition by stemborer moths while being detrimental to the larvae of the pest, thus valuable in push-pull technology [27]. These genotypes could be of value in the improvement of cereal livestock-based livestock productivity in sub-Saharan Africa in the current scenarios of increasing aridification and attacks by invasive pests, such as spider mite (Oligonychus trichardti). However, farmers’ skills and knowledge can complement scientific research and their contribution through participatory approach is key in validating the potential of such genetic materials. Therefore, this study aimed at (i) assessing smallholder farmers’ perception on benefits of brachiaria in cereal-livestock production, (ii) assessing brachiaria production constrains, and (iii) identifying farmer preferred brachiaria genotypes.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Area

Arid and semi-arid areas of western Kenya and the lake zone in Tanzania were selected because of their importance in cereal-livestock based farming systems. The study areas in Kenya included Homabay, Mbita, Bondo, and Siaya. The lake zone in Tanzania (hereafter referred to Tanzania LZ) included Tarime and Mwanza districts. Rainfall pattern is bi-modal, main season runs from March to August and the short season is from October to January. Farming systems in the regions are predominantly cereal/edible legume integrated with livestock [6]. These areas are historically hot spots for cereal stemborer, and most farmers have widely adopted push-pull technology (PPT) as a management tool for the pest [5]. Further, the areas are characterized by extended periods of drought, which makes them conducive for the invasive spider mite, O. trichardti. Spider mite is the most important pest of brachiaria, a companion crop in PPT, especially during drier and hotter regimes [26]. These study areas are therefore ideal for assessment of farmers’ experience and preference of brachiaria genotypes for use in cereal-livestock production.

2.2. Demonstration Plots

One site per study area was selected for the establishment of the demonstration plots for six brachiaria genotypes. This was purposely done by ensuring that they occur in different agro-ecologies, as follows; Homabay (Lower Midland 3), Mbita (Lower midland 5), Bondo (Lower midland 4), and Siaya (Lower midland 2) [28]. The lake zone sites in Tanzania included Tarime (high altitude plateau) and Mwanza (medium altitude plains) [29]. Brachiaria genotypes that were planted for evaluation were Piata, Xaraes, Marandu, ILRI 12991, ILRI 14807, and Mulato II (check). The candidate genotypes were selected from previous studies that tested drought tolerance, adaptability to a range of environments, and resistance to spider mite in brachiaria [25,26]. Furthermore, Xaraes, Piata, and Marandu are suitable for egg laying by the lepidopterous stemborer Chilo partellus and are, therefore, suitable companion plants in PPT [27]. Each plot measured 5 × 5 m with plant to plant and row to row spacing of 0.5 m. Diammonium phosphate (DAP) was applied as basal fertilizer at a rate of 60 kg/ha, and nitrogen in the form of calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), at a rate of 60 kg/ha as at top dresser four weeks after planting. The plots were kept weed free by hoe and hand weeding and pesticides were not applied to allow natural infestation and the development of spider mites.

2.3. Sampling Procedures

The selection of respondents to participate in study at specific trial sites followed a multistage sampling procedure. Firstly, farmers who practiced climate smart PPT and were within the study areas were selected for the study. This was done by generating a checklist of all farmers who practice climate smart PPT with help of village elders and frontline extension staff. Thereafter, a semi-structured questionnaire was used to identify willing respondents for participatory evaluation of different brachiaria genotypes grown in the demonstration plots.

2.4. Data Collection

The study used semi-structured questionnaires that were administered through individual interviews and focus group discussions (FGD). The questionnaires were pre-tested before implementation. Individual response questionnaire assessed farmers’ socio-economic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, and education), farm characteristics (farm size, tenure system, size of land under brachiaria, and uses of brachiaria). Farmers’ perceptions on whether brachiaria was beneficially in controlling cereal pests, for sale, as livestock feed, for soil conservation, etc., was sought. Production challenges, including access to planting materials, planting, crop management, harvesting, and hay making was recorded. The questionnaire also assessed farmer experience with pests and diseases of brachiaria. This was captured by asking the respondents whether they had noticed the infestation of the red spider mites and sorghum shoot flies; severity of infestation; and, what they did to cope with the pests. Rating of the seriousness of the pest was based on a four-point Likert scale, where 0 = no problem, 1 = moderate problem, 2 = severe problem, and 3 = very severe problem. Farmers were asked whether they are aware of any other brachiaria genotypes and whether they had planted them on their farms. Thereafter, farmers evaluated the different brachiaria genotypes in demonstration based on hairlines, leaf size, leaf softness, number of shoot tillers, plant spread, plant height, seed setting, resistance to spider mites, and biomass yield where their responses were based on a scale of 1 (poor), 2 (fair), 3 (good), and 4 (excellent). However, for each trait, the number of the highest score i.e., 4 (excellent) was used to compare the genotypes. Evaluation based on sorghum shoot fly damage was not done, since there was no infestation; this is because the genotypes were raised from root splits. Sorghum shoot flies are known to attack young seedlings, especially when grown from the seed. During the assessment, the genotypes were given numbers instead of their actual names to reduce bias in ranking of popular genotypes. Farmers were finally asked to select the best brachiaria genotype. To back up individual interviews, focus group discussions were conducted. Farmers were encouraged to use a language that they were most familiar with and discussions were led by a member of the research group who spoke their language. Similarly, the discussions covered the benefits of brachiaria in climate smart PPT, production constraints, including important pests (spider mites and sorghum shoot flies), and farmer preference of different brachiaria genotypes. Other aspects that were covered in the FGD included willingness of the farmers to try other brachiaria genotypes on their farms and the criteria used for selecting a candidate genotype.

2.5. Data Analysis

Descriptive and comparative statistics (means, percentages, and cross tabulations) were used in data analysis. Analysis of variance, F-test, and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient (chi-square test) were used to test for significance of differences in various responses and study areas. Computation was done using statistical package for SPSS version 17 software (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA).

3. Results

3.1. Farmer Socio-demographics and Farm Characteristics

A total of 223 respondents participated in individual interviews. In general, 49% of the respondents are male. There was no significance (p = 0.05) in variation between districts (

Table 1. Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents.

	Homabay	Mbita	Bondo	Siaya	Tanzania	Mean
Variable	(n = 38)	(n = 38)	(n = 67)	(n = 54)	(n = 26)	(n = 45)	F Value	χ2 value
Gender (male) (%)	53	45	46	37	62	48.6
Age category (%)								32.842 **
20–30	18	8	3	6	4	7.8
31–40	13	24	16	15	8	15.2
41–50	24	37	30	24	42	31.4
51–60	18	13	21	31	27	22
>61	13	16	28	22	16	19
	86	98	98	98	97	95.4
Education level (%)								26.515 *
None	3	0	5	13	0	4.2
None-formal	3	8	4	2	4	4.2
Primary	50	42	43	50	69	50.8
Secondary	34	42	34	20	27	31.4
Post-Secondary	8	8	15	13	0	8.8
Average land size rented (acres)	1.08	2.05	1.63	0.92	2		2.856 *
Land size owned (acres)	5.29	2.8	2.67	2.05	4.74		4.59 **
Size of brachiaria plots in push pull (m2)	793	634	655	603	734	670	0.329ns
Brachiaria grown as pure stands	32	3	19	39	11	22.5		21.159 ***
Keeping of livestock on farm	95	100	84	94	100	93		13.963 **
Improved dairy cattle	0.42	0.97	0.49	0.79	1.23	0.72	1.738ns
Local cattle	3.42	3.37	2.46	2.51	3.65	2.9	1.727ns
Improved dairy goats	0.86	0.53	0.63	0.57	0	0.56	1.841ns
Local goats	1.92	2.02	2.08	1.05	3.3	1.94	2.15ns
Sheep	2.92	2.68	1.4	0.64	1.65	1.74	4.395 **

* = significant at 0.05, ** = significant at 0.01, *** = significant at 0.001, ns = not significant.

). Their age categories varied significantly (p = 0.01) between the study areas. The majority were between 41–50 years (31%), followed by 51–60 years (22%), the elderly >61 (19%), 31–40 (15%), and the least being the youth between 20–30 years (8%). Age category 41–50 years formed the highest percentage in all study areas, except in Siaya, where the majority were between 51–60. The lowest in population in all areas were the youth (20–30 years), implying that farming in the region is predominantly practiced by the older and the elderly farmers. Education levels of the respondents varied significantly across the study areas. On average, 50% of the farmers had attained primary education, 31% had secondary education, a few (9%) had post-secondary education, while those with none-formal and no education at all were the least, each comprising of 4% of the respondents. Literacy at post-secondary level was the highest in Bondo (15%), while illiteracy (no education) was highest in Siaya (13%) (Table 1).

Farmers rented an average of 1.5 acres land for farming. This varied significantly across the study areas ranging from one acre (Homabay) to two acres (Mbita). The average farm size owned was 3.5 acres, and it varied significantly (p = 0.01) from two acres (Siaya) to 5.2 (Homabay). The average land size under brachiaria as components of push-pull was 0.17 acres, this however did not vary significantly across the study areas (Table 1). Besides the brachiaria that forms a component of push-pull, 22% of farmers planted the grass as pure stands; 32% in Homabay, 3% in Mbita, 19% in Bondo, 39% in Siaya, and 11% in Tanzania. The majority of the farmers (93%) kept livestock that included cattle (improved and local), goats (improved and local), and sheep. The type of livestock mostly kept was local cattle with a mean of 2.9, followed by local goats (1.94), sheep (1.65), improved dairy cattle (0.72), and improved dairy goats (0.56). Variation across study areas was not significant for all animals, except sheep (p = 0.01). The highest number of sheep was recorded in Homabay (2.92), while the lowest was in Siaya (0.64).

3.2. Benefits of Brachiaria

The uses of brachiaria varied significantly across the study areas, except for those who exchanged the grass for milk (mean = 5%). Being a component of a pest management strategy, approximately 38% (mean) of farmers agreed that brachiaria reduced damage caused by cereal pests (Figure 1). Approximately 36% of the farmers considered the grass as a valuable fodder for livestock. About 29% believed that it controls soil erosion, while a few (17%) also sold the grass, others exchanged it for milk (Figure 1).

3.3. Constraints to Production of Brachiaria

Farmers gave their opinions on challenges faced in accessing planting materials, during planting and management (

Table 2. Perception on brachiaria production challenges disaggregated by gender.

Variable	Response/Rating (%)	Homabay (n = 38)		Mbita (n = 38)		Bondo (n = 67)		Siaya (n = 54)		Tanzania (n = 26)		Mean (n = 45)
		Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female
Access to planting   materials	Do not know where to get seeds	5	0	11.8	23.8	22.6	13.9	0	0	6.3	0	9.1	7.5
	Planting materials are expensive	15	0	0	0	0	2.8	20	5.9	0	0	7	1.7
	Unavailability of seeds in Agrovets	30	33.3	0	0	0	2.8	25	23.5	25	0	16	11.9
Planting	Time consuming	0	5.6	0	0	3.2	0	10	8.8	6.3	0	3.9	2.9
	Do not know planting procedure	0	0	5.9	0	3.2	8.3	0	0	0	0	1.8	1.7
	Poor germination of seeds	0	5.6	5.9	0	0	0	5	5.9	37.5	20	9.7	6.3
Crop management	Difficulty in controlling weeds	15	11.1	11.8	4.8	3.2	0	10	23.5	0	0	8	7.9
	Difficulty in handling (it pricks)	5	5.6	29.4	57.1	0	2.8	20	38.2	12.5	20	13.4	24.7
Arthropod pest	Yes	50	66.7	75	60	68.4	77.8	27.8	31.3	25	80	49.2	63.1
attacks	No	50	33.3	25	40	31.6	22.2	72.2	68.8	75	20	50.8	36.9
Spider mites	Yes	58	66.7	75	60	68.4	77.8	27.8	31.3	25	80	50.8	63.1
on own farm	No	42	33.3	25	40	31.6	22.2	72.2	68.8	75	20	49.2	36.9
Seriousness of mites on own farms	No problem	18.2	11.1	12.5	18.8	5.3	4.5	12.5	46.7	0	0	9.7	16.2
	Moderate problem	45.5	22.2	37.5	37.5	78.9	54.5	75	46.7	80	62.5	63.4	44.7
	Severe problem	18.2	66.7	43.8	31.3	10.5	27.3	12.5	6.7	20	37.5	21	33.9
	Very severe problem	9.1	0	6.3	12.5	5.3	13.6	0	0	0	0	4.1	5.2
Spider mites seen on other farms	Yes	46.7	57.1	68.8	52.9	94.7	91.7	27.8	34.5	40	80	55.6	63.2
	No	53.3	42.9	31.3	47.1	5.3	8.3	72.2	65.5	60	20	44.4	36.8
Seen shoot flies on own farm	Yes	57.1	66.7	81.3	61.9	93.3	100	5.6	21.9	53.3	88.9	58.1	67.9
	No	42.9	33.3	18.8	38.1	6.7	0	94.4	78.1	46.7	11.1	41.9	32.1
Seriousness of  shoot flies	No problem	20	7.7	13.3	20	6.7	0	60	46.2	0	0	20	14.8
	Moderate problem	60	46.2	33.3	33.3	73.3	60	40	53.8	87.5	77.8	58.8	54.2
	Severe problem	20	30.8	26.7	40	20	30	0	0	12.5	11.1	15.8	22.4
	Very severe problem	0	15.4	26.7	6.7	0	10	0	0	0	11.1	5.3	8.6
Seen shoot flies on other farms	Yes	50	62.5	76.5	55.6	93.3	100	10	3.1	18.8	44.4	49.7	53.1
	No	50	37.5	23.5	44.4	6.7	0	90	93.8	81.3	55.6	50.3	46.3
Disease infestation	Yes	26.7	26.7	64.7	28.6	90.9	81.3	21.1	16.7	18.8	0	44.4	30.6
	No	73.3	73.3	35.3	71.4	9.1	18.8	78.9	83.3	81.3	100	55.6	69.4

). The opinions varied across the study sites. The major production constraint perceived by both men and women was attacks by arthropod pests (49.2% and 63.1, respectively). This was followed by disease infestation (44.4% of men and 30.6% of women). The difficulty in handling (prickly hairs) was rated as the third constraint by women (24.7%) while unavailability of seed in agrovets was rated third by men (16%). However, farmers were specific about the most important arthropod pests. Spider smites were reported to have been observed on own farms by 50.8% of men and 63.1% of women, while sorghum shoot flies had been observed by 58.1% of men and 67.9% of women. The seriousness of spider mites was mostly perceived by both men and women as moderate problem (63.4% and 44.7%, respectively) to severe problem (21% and 33.9%, respectively). Sorghum shoot flies were also regarded by both men and women as a moderate problem (58.8% and 52.2%, respectively) to severe problem (15.8% and 22.4%, respectively). Further, more farmers (55.6% men and 63.2% women) had observed spider mites on other farms. On the other hand, more men (50.3%) had not observed sorghum shoot flies on other farms, while more women (53.1%) have observed.

3.4. Farmer Evaluation and Selection of Brachiaria Genotypes

Farmers assessed the six brachiaria genotypes based on the following criteria; leaf hairlines, leaf size, leaf softness, number of shoot tillers, plant spread, plant height, seed setting, resistance to the spider mites, and visual estimation of biomass yield. Mulato II ranked the highest in hairlines, leaf softness, and tillers, while Xaraes had the highest numbers for plant height, resistance to spider mites, and biomass yield (Figure 2). Sorghum shoot flies attack the crop at the seedling stage, especially when seed is used as a propagation material. Due to unavailability seeds, we used root splits in our study, further, the crop was evaluated at maturity. Therefore, farmers could not evaluate the materials based on resistance to Sorghum shoot flies. Figure 3 presents the farmer selection of different brachiaria genotypes. Generally, the majority (41.2%) of the farmers preferred Xaraes, followed by Mulato II (25.6%) and Piata (20.4%).

4. Discussion

The study assessed farmers’ experiences and perceptions of brachiaria, a companion crop in a climate-smart PPT. To date, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Mulato II is the only variety planted by PPT farmer; therefore, farmers’ experience with brachiaria in PPT, as assessed in this study, is based on this variety. However, some farmers may have planted a different variety, but in pure crop stands. The respondents comprised a slightly higher number of females than males. This shows that women are significant and crucial in agricultural development in the region. Studies have shown that, even though most of the African cultures discriminate against women, limiting their land and property rights, they still account for nearly half of the smallholder farmers [30]. Respondents in the study fall in different age categories with the majority being adults between 41–50, while the lowest comprises of the youth between 20–30 years. There is an emerging debate regarding the declining interest of Africa’s young people in agriculture [31]; this trend is evident in the current study. Youth can play a key role in agriculture. Unlike the older people, they have greater energy and education and are better equipped to handle modern agricultural technologies and entrepreneurship and they can reverse the ageing trend of the African farming population. It is perhaps worth mentioning that there is a greater interest in sustainability, e.g., of PPT, by those in lower age groups and that this might also improve gender parity in agriculture. One of the major challenges that the young prospective farmers experience is a lack of access to assets and resources that would increase their productivity, such as land, farming inputs, and tools [32]. However, PPT can solve some resource related problems, as all companion crops are perennial and self-saved cereal seed performs better in PPT than do most commercial hybrids [32].

The study provides evidence that brachiaria is an important source of fodder besides its prominent use in pest management strategy (Figure 1). It is used as “pull” component for cereal pests in the climate adapted push-pull technology (PPT); a habitat management strategy that was initially developed to manage the lepidopterous stemborers [7]. In a recent farmer perception study, farmers rated the climate-adapted push-pull as being superior in reducing fall armyworm damage on maize [5]. There is shortage of forages in quantity and quality in sub-Saharan Africa, especially during the dry seasons [33]; therefore, the study validates the value of brachiaria as an ideal forage in the region. Other uses of brachiaria, as mentioned by the farmers, include soil conservation by the prevention of soil erosion, sale, and exchange for milk (Figure 1). Brachiaria grasses are well known for improving soil aggregation thus increasing the resistance to soil degradation and erosion [34]. However, farmers listed several production challenges mainly being unavailability of brachiaria seeds in local retail agents, followed by weed and pest attacks and poor seed germination among others (Table 2). The unavailability of seed is mainly caused by high import costs, cumbersome seed registration processes, relatively undeveloped forage seed market, physical constraints, like drought, low germination rates, and the perceived high opportunity cost of growing the seed in Africa. Furthermore, local brachiaria seed production is underdeveloped, partly due reluctance by the private sector citing unorganized and dispersed demand for seed [35].

Arthropod pests are among the major causes of chronic food insecurity witnessed in the region and are expected to worsen with increasing hot and dry conditions associated with climate change [36]. Strategies to minimize such constrains are crucial in the intensification of smallholder farming systems towards achieving food security in the region. Farmers cited spider mites and sorghum shoot flies as main production challenges and as the main pests of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Mulato II. They mostly rated both pests as moderate to severe problem. Susceptibility of Mulato II to spider mites has been reported in previous studies [26]. Common symptoms of pest damage on brachiaria, as described by respondents in a focus group discussion (FGD), include: stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and wilting of growing tips. Spider mites are tiny and difficult to detect; they are manifested through yellowing of leaves, which the farmers often confuse for mineral deficiency.

Nevertheless, crop improvement based on conventional breeding will continue to be important; many cycles of crossing and backcrossing (pre-breeding) are required to detect and map useful traits [37]. Brachiaria genotypes developed in the Americas and Australia have a higher risk of pest and disease attacks as well as poor adaptability in new environments in Africa. This kind of research involving farmers helps to generate and validate new strategies of integrating crop protection and livestock production which are locally adaptable, and can be introduced widely and applied more rapidly through the discovery of unique traits of companion plants. The introduction of pest-resilient trap plants in push-pull ensures that the technology’s full range of opportunities for yield enhancement are exploited in Africa.

When considering the susceptibility of Mulato II to spider mites, there is a need to deploy alternative resistant genotypes, which possess same properties that make them preferred for egg laying by stemborer moths. However, for the successful uptake of such materials, farmers’ needs and opinions are key. Farmers evaluated and selected their preferred genotypes from candidate varieties proposed from previous studies, which evaluated drought tolerance, resistance to spider mites, biomass yield, and attractiveness to oviposition by stemborers [25,26,27]. Xaraes was a highly preferred genotype, followed by Mulato II and Piata (Figure 3). Some of the traits that farmers proposed as a criteria in evaluating brachiaria genotypes are leaf hairlines, leaf size, leaf softness (as a measure of palatability by animals), number of tillers, plant spread, plant height, seed production, resistance to spider mites, and biomass yield. Farmers generally prefer less hairy genotypes for ease in cut and carry, because the hairs are irritating to the skin. They also believe that softer leaves are highly palatable and preferred by the animals, a trait for which they voted Mulato II as superior. However, there is a trade-off between hairlines and leaf softness in Mulato II and this might produce mixed results in farmers’ rating of the cultivar.

The results of this study are important to policy makers in sub-Saharan Africa because the sustainable increase in agricultural productivity represents a significant opportunity for addressing the pervasive challenge of low productivity, which results in high poverty levels and under-nourishment. Moreover, climate-smart and resilient agricultural systems that are based on such genetic material are needed to protect and enhance natural resources and ecosystem services in ways that mitigate future climate change [38]. The exploitation of such climate-smart, resilient material help farmers to develop production systems that are compatible with their farming systems, and sound management of available natural resources. The involvement of farmers in scientific developments in agronomy and agroecological practices take into account their other on-farm enterprises, like livestock keeping, and helps them to fully exploit the benefits of production and resource conservation technologies.

5. Conclusions

The study provides evidence that brachiaria is an important source of fodder besides its prominent use in pest management strategy. Its multiple utility facilitates sustainable intensification of smallholder agriculture by facilitating the integration of cereal and livestock fodder production. It is used as “pull” component for cereal pests in the climate adapted push-pull technology (PPT), a habitat management strategy initially developed to manage the lepidopterous stemborers, while it generated quality fodder. The study demonstrates that these Brachiaria genotypes could be of value in the improvement of cereal livestock-based livestock productivity in sub-Saharan Africa in the current scenarios of increasing aridification and attacks by invasive pests, such as spider mite (Oligonychus trichardti). It also demonstrates that farmers’ skills and knowledge can complement scientific research, and that their contribution through participatory approach is key in validating the potential of such genetic materials.