Valorising bamboo leaves for climate-smart livestock production: Nutritional profile, emission reduction, and farmer adoption in Ghana’s transitional zones

Abstract

Bamboo has shown promising potential as a sustainable and nutrient-rich fodder source for livestock, particularly in Ghana’s transitional forest zones where traditional forage options are limited. This study evaluated the nutritional composition, in vitro rumen fermentation, and digestibility of the leaves of Oxytenanthera abyssinica (OA) and Bambusa vulgaris (BV) and incorporated them into a basal mix (Bmix) of Cenchrus purpureus and Bridelia ferruginea for goats. Additionally, a survey was conducted to assess adoption drivers of bamboo as a livestock fodder in the study area. The results show that both bamboo species had similar (p > 0.05) dry matter (91.7–92 %), crude protein (12.5–14.5 %), and crude fibre (26.3–28.9 %). OA had higher (p < 0.05) ash (12.4 %), Ca (0.48 %), Mg (0.15 %), flavonoids (0.885 mg/l) and oxalates (0.015 %), while BV had more P (0.18 %), K (2.31 %), Fe (65.6 mg/kg), Cu (20.49 mg/kg), Mn (12.9 mg/kg), acid detergent lignin (1.8 %–4.3 %), tannins (0.003 %), saponins (0.28 %) and total antioxidants (96.8 %). In vitro rumen fermentation showed OA+Bmix had the highest gas production (155.1 mL/200 mg DM) and VFAs (89.6 mmol/100 g), followed by BV+Bmix (gas: 146.8 mL/200 mg DM, VFAs: 84.3 mmol/100 g) and control (gas: 145.2 mL/200 mg DM, VFAs: 75.3 mmol/100 g). The OA+Bmix also had the lowest methane (14.1 mL/200 mg DM) and CO₂ (69.0 mL/200 mg DM) compared to BV+Bmix (methane: 16.5 mL/200 mg DM, CO₂: 72.3 mL/200 mg DM) and the control (methane: 24.3 mL/200 mg DM, CO₂: 84.2 mL/200 mg DM). Similarly, OA+Bmix showed the highest nitrogen intake (9.22 g/day), digestibility (8.5 g/day) and retention (88.1 %), along with the highest digestibility for dry matter (58.7 %), crude protein (72.2 %), crude fibre (67.8 %) and ether extract (74.4 %), compared to BV+Bmix (intake: 6.96 g/day, digestibility: 6.47 g/day, retention: 83.2 %, dry matter: 48.3 %, crude protein: 56.8 %, crude fibre: 60.2 %, ether extract: 68.7 %) and the control (intake: 5.54 g/day, digestibility: 4.92 g/day, retention: 59.1 %, dry matter: 33.6 %, crude protein: 41.1 %, crude fibre: 31.6 %, ether extract: 47.2 %). In conclusion, bamboo leaves are nutrient-rich supplements that can improve rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility and animal health. Their adoption is promising, driven by economic feasibility, accessibility and sustainability. Therefore, prioritising educational and financial support for their adoption is recommended.