Abstract

Improvement of livestock productivity through on-farm research leads to the availability of animal protein and hence improved food security. On-farm research is associated with several challenges; chief of which is lack of initiative from the farmers participation. The objective of the review was to outline challenges faced by researchers as they conduct research on livestock in communal areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. On-farm research, however, is associated with several challenges; chief of which are lack of initiative from the farmers. Working in remote areas, culture, language barriers, high personal time of communication, risk of losing animals, lack of appropriate data analyses and administrative structures are some challenges that researchers should await as they plan to conduct on-farm studies. Efforts should be made to minimise the impact of these challenges to improve the quality of livestock research in communal areas and enhance rural development through livestock-based programmes.

Key words: Active farmer participation, on-farm research, poverty reduction.