AGROECOLOGICAL ADAPTABILITY AND FORAGE VALORIZATION OF PENNISETUM PURPUREUM AND DOLICHOS LABLAB FOR SMALL RUMINANT FEEDING SYSTEMS IN SOUTHERN NIGER:A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Sahelian livestock systems,particularly in southern Niger,face increasing constraints due to climatic variability, rangeland degradation, and seasonal feed shortages. Identifying locally adapted forage species to sustainably support small ruminant production is a priority for regional food security.This study conduct a structured narrative review,synthesizing scientific and technical data from peer reviewed articles, institutional reports, and regional databases. The analysis focused on the agroecological performance and nutritional valorization of Pennisetum purpureum and Dolichos lablab in semi-arid environments. The review highlights a significant functional complementarity: P. purpureum provides high biomass yields (averaging 7-12% crude protein) and environmental resilience, while D. lablab acts as a high-quality protein supplement (18-25% CP) that enhances soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.Evidence suggests that integrating these species into smallholder systems can reduce the "protein gap" during the dry season and improve rumen fermentation efficiency in small ruminants.Combining P.purpureum and D.lablab represents a consistent agroecological strategy for intensifying forage production in Niger. Future research should prioritize multi-site experimental trials to refine optimal harvest stages and socio-economic adoption factors in the Maradi region.