INTRODUCING THE PROCESS OF MAKING A MULTI-NUTRIENT SALT LICK USING LOCALLY AVAILABLE INGREDIENTS TO FARMERS FOR CATTLE PRODUCTION IN BATAGARAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KATSINA STATE

Abstract

Multi-nutrient Salt Lick Block (MNSLB) was introduced in Dabaibayawa Village, Batagarawa Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. This was based on need assessment carried out in the study area. The main objective of the project was to teach farmers on how to prepare Multi-nutrient salt block using locally available materials. The ingredients used for the preparation of MNSLB include: Potash, Wood ash, African bean pulp, egg shell and salt. MNSLB that could serve as supplement to cattle is costly and herders lack of technical know-how on the appropriate proportion of each ingredient to be used incapacitate them in preparing it for their cattle. Herders mostly feed their cattle with poor quality roughages and crop residues which do not contain minerals for the animal growth and productivity. It is therefore based on this, that cattle need to be supplemented with MNSLB to provide the required minerals. With this project, herders were able to learn how to use locally available materials to prepare MNSLB. Farmers were grouped into three namely: Pastoralists, cattle fatteners and cattle traders. Farmers gladly accepted the technology as it only required ₦110 to prepare salt lick of 2.5kg. Considering the importance of this technology, it is therefore recommended that more extension workers should be engaged to convey this technology to the nook and cranny of Batagarawa Local Government Area.