Inclusion of Lablab Bean (lablab purpureus) in Dairy Cows’ Diets among Southern African Smallholders: Effect on Milk Production- A review

Dairy production among smallholder farmers has been continually stalled. The sector experiences several constraints chief among them high cost of feed, underutilization of forage legumes as supplement and insufficient feed during the dry season. Knowledge gap in ensiling quality silages during the dry season has resulted in emaciated dairy cows. The inclusion of Lablab beans (lablab purpures) high protein forage legume in dairy cows diets can immensely improve milk production among smallholder dairy farmers. Lablab beans (lablab purpureus) are endowed with many high nutritional value which include adaptability in tropics, ability to remain green throughout the year, high crude protein which can signficantly improve the milk yield. Despite Lablab beans (lablab purpureus) nutritional value it is still underutilized, production continues to decline, and its use remains low. There is a need to promote the cultivation and utilization of forage legumes to increase sustainable livestock production. It has great potential to replace dairy concentrate feed through reduced production cost and increase milk yield. This can be realized through collaboration with stakeholders. Researchers and dairy industry need to collaborate with smallholder dairy farmers in formulating feed with forage legumes to reduce the knowledge gap and promote its utilization.