Determination of the Status and Factors Influencing Occurrence and Adequacy of Panicum maximum (Guinea grass) in Tana Delta, Kenya

Abstract

Panicum maximum is becoming extinct in Tana Delta, Kenya. The grass is declining at an increased rate due to poor management of this open to all natural pasture. The purpose of this study was to establish an alternative effective management practices for Panicum maximum as a source of pasture for pastoralist communities in Tana Delta. The findings of the study show that Panicum maximum has become inadequate (97%) for livestock in Tana Delta. Additionally, the satellite images correlates the above outcome that grass quantity has reduced over the years - when the satellite image of 1992 compared to that of 2015. The results further showed that inadequate rainfall (78%), lack of flooding (50%) and overstocking of herds in the grazing land (45%) as the main reason for Panicum maximum reduction. From the study, this reduction in quantity is therefore attributable to two main factors, namely; reduction in amount of rainfall and overstocking of cattle in the communal grazing areas. The study further concludes that hay production among the community formed a potent mitigation strategy against feed scarcity during dry seasons.

Keywords: Panicum maximum, Satellite images, adequacy