Diversity, preference criteria and feeding practice of indigenous browse fodder by livestock farmers in northwest Ethiopia

The study was conducted in South Gondar zone to assess farmers' perception and utilization practice of indigenous browse fodders.Study areas were selected based on agro-ecology representation and availability of fodder species.A total of 245 households were used for data collection.24 sampling plots of each with a dimension of 20 m 20 m were used for inventories of the diversity of fodder species.The diversity index was used to determine the species diversity.The collected data was analyzed using SPSS, version 26.A total of 44 indigenous browse fodder were identified in all agro ecologies.Of the identified species T. brownii, A. amara and C. Africana in the lowland; C. Africana, F. vasta, A. abyssinica and F. thonnigii in the midlands and C. abyssinica, F. thonnigii and V. amygdalina in the highlands were preferentially opted for livestock feed.The midland showed the highest species diversity of browse fodder.Palatability and multifunctionality were the main preference criteria for selecting browse fodder in the study area.The majority of farmers (42.27%) fed their livestock in partially cut and carry and, browsing.Incorporating locally available resources based on farmers' preference criteria and scientific knowledge is vital to efficiently utilize indigenous browse.