Grasslands Disappeared, Livestock Starved: Why Ruminants Are Feeding on Baobab Trees in Bongo District

The sight of cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys stripping the bark of baobab trees in parts of the Bongo District in the Upper East Region has become increasingly common. This alarming trend is a stark warning of the deepening environmental and livestock‑feed crisis confronting many communities in northern Ghana.

Traditionally, livestock in the area depend on natural grasslands and pasture for survival. But prolonged dry seasons, erratic rainfall, recurrent bushfires and widespread environmental degradation have drastically reduced the availability of grasses and forage. The result is advancing desertification, extreme temperatures and a desperate search for alternative feed sources.

With pastures depleted, many animals now turn to the soft bark and leaves of baobab trees — a last resort for survival.

Why Livestock Are Feeding on Baobab Trees

1. Prolonged Dry Seasons and Climate Change

Northern Ghana continues to experience longer dry spells and rising temperatures. Seasonal grasses dry up rapidly, and climate variability has disrupted the natural regeneration of pasture, leaving animals with little to feed on.

2. Disappearance of Natural Grasslands

Grazing areas have been converted into farmlands, settlements and other human activities. Increasing pressure on land has shrunk communal grazing spaces, limiting access to pasture.

3. Bushfires and Environmental Degradation

Annual bushfires destroy vast quantities of grasses, shrubs and fodder plants. Repeated burning weakens vegetation cover and slows the recovery of pasture lands.

4. Overgrazing
Livestock numbers continue to grow without a corresponding expansion of grazing areas. Continuous grazing prevents grasses from regenerating, further depleting pasture resources.

5. Lack of Fodder Conservation
Many farmers do not store hay or crop residues during the rainy season. When the dry season sets in, animals face acute feed shortages.

6. Nutritional Deficiencies
Baobab trees contain moisture and certain nutrients that attract livestock during scarcity. When all other feed sources are exhausted, animals resort to chewing the bark and consuming the leaves.

Consequences of Livestock Feeding on Baobab Trees

The growing dependence on baobab trees poses serious risks to both livestock production and the environment:

• Destruction of baobab trees — valuable ecological and economic resources
• Reduced biodiversity and accelerated environmental degradation
• Increased vulnerability of communities to desertification
• Poor animal health due to inadequate nutrition
• Reduced livestock productivity, including lower meat and milk yields
• Higher mortality among weak and vulnerable animals

If this trend continues unchecked, communities risk losing both their livestock assets and the baobab trees that support local livelihoods.

Urgent Solutions for Livestock Farmers

1. Establish Fodder Banks
Farmers should cultivate drought‑resistant fodder crops such as cowpea, lablab, sorghum and fodder grasses to provide feed during the dry season.

2. Promote Hay Production and Storage
Excess grasses should be harvested, dried and stored as hay during the rainy season to bridge feed shortages.

3. Utilize Crop Residues
Maize stover, millet stalks, groundnut haulms and rice straw should be preserved and treated to improve their nutritional value.

4. Develop Community Grazing Reserves
District authorities and traditional leaders must designate and protect communal grazing lands to ensure sustainable access to pasture.

5. Strengthen Water Infrastructure
Constructing dams, dugouts and boreholes will improve water availability for livestock and fodder production year‑round.

6. Encourage Tree Planting and Environmental Conservation

Communities should protect existing baobab trees and undertake afforestation to restore degraded landscapes.

7. Improve Veterinary and Extension Services

Extension officers should provide regular training on feed conservation, livestock nutrition and climate‑smart livestock management.

8. Government Support and Emergency Intervention

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture, development partners and district assemblies should provide emergency feed support, subsidised fodder seeds and climate‑adaptation programmes.

Conclusion

The increasing incidence of livestock feeding on baobab trees in the Bongo District is a clear warning of the immense pressure facing livestock production systems in northern Ghana. The disappearance of grasslands, prolonged dry seasons and environmental degradation have left many animals struggling to survive.

Addressing this crisis requires urgent collaboration among farmers, traditional authorities, government institutions and development partners. Through sustainable pasture management, fodder production, environmental conservation and climate‑adaptation strategies, communities can protect their livestock, preserve baobab trees and safeguard livelihoods for future generations.

By Abdulai Abdul‑Kadir, Upper East Region

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