Trees Triple Milk Production for Benin Dairy Farmers

In the drylands of northern Benin, where rainy seasons grow shorter each year and pastures dry out faster than ever, a simple solution is transforming dairy farming.

Researchers monitoring 447 cows across 40 farms discovered something remarkable. Cattle grazing under native trees produced nearly three times more milk per day than cows in traditional open pastures. Their calves survived at higher rates too.

The study compared conventional farming, where cattle roam open grasslands with few trees, to agroforestry systems where farmers intentionally grow trees alongside crops and livestock. The difference was stunning.

Trees like African mahogany and rosewood provide shade that cools cattle down during brutal heat waves. Their protein-rich leaves fill the nutrition gap when grasses disappear during drought. This keeps cows healthier, maintains their weight, and protects them from diseases that strike when animals are stressed and malnourished.

The drylands cover 70 percent of Benin and support six million grazing animals, including 2.5 million cattle. For families who depend on livestock for food and income, shorter rainy seasons and more frequent droughts have meant watching their herds suffer and milk production plummet.

But farming families using tree-based systems told researchers they cope better with every dry season. They have reliable animal feed year-round, steadier milk income, and extra resources from fruit, firewood, and timber when times get tough.

The practice isn't new. West African farmers have fed livestock tree leaves and pods during droughts for generations. What's changed is recognition that this traditional knowledge offers a powerful climate adaptation strategy.

The Ripple Effect

The benefits extend far beyond individual farms. Trees enrich soil as their leaves decompose, creating natural fertilizer. Livestock manure becomes more nutritious for crops. Some species provide medicine and building materials, diversifying what families can grow and sell.

The trees also fight climate change by storing carbon in their trunks and roots, helping offset greenhouse gas emissions from livestock. Each farm becomes a small climate solution while feeding families better.

Researchers are calling on policymakers and development banks to create funding programs that help dryland dairy farmers plant and maintain trees. The evidence shows this approach works, producing more milk, healthier cattle, and more resilient farm families.

For the millions of livestock farmers across West Africa facing similar climate pressures, Benin's tree-farming families are showing a path forward that honors traditional wisdom while building climate resilience one native tree at a time.