G-FEAST 3.0 vVARY

FEAST (Feed Assessment Tool) is a participatory diagnostic tool developed by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) to systematically assess local feed resource availability and use in smallholder farming systems. It is designed to support the development of site-specific strategies for improving livestock feed supply and utilization through technical or organizational interventions. G-FEAST is an enhancement that includes a gender analysis. G-FEAST 3.0 is a mobile version of the FEAST desktop application. This version is a basic version of FEAST but gendered elements will be added later.

Purpose and Rationale

Livestock feed is often cited as the primary constraint to productivity in smallholder systems. Traditional approaches to feed interventions frequently rely on trial-and-error methods that fail to adequately diagnose the nature of feed-related problems. FEAST addresses this gap by offering a structured, farmer-centered methodology that enables researchers and development practitioners to:

Understand the local farming system and feed-related challenges.

Identify constraints and opportunities for feed improvement.

Design targeted, evidence-based feed interventions.

Methodology

FEAST combines qualitative and quantitative data collection through two main components:

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA): A focused exercise that provides an overview of the farming system, with particular emphasis on livestock feeding practices, resource availability, and seasonal variations.

Quantitative Questionnaire: A brief survey completed by experts under the guidance of a trained FEAST facilitator, capturing data on feed types, availability, quality, and usage patterns.

The tool generates a standardized report that includes:

A summary of feed availability, quality, and seasonality.

Visual outputs and graphs to support decision-making.

Applications and Impact

FEAST has been widely used across Africa and Asia to inform livestock development programs. It helps practitioners move beyond generic solutions by aligning interventions with local realities such as land and labor availability, dominant farming systems, and livestock types. The tool has contributed to:

Improved targeting of feed technologies.

Enhanced understanding of farmer priorities and constraints.

More sustainable and inclusive livestock productivity gains.

Resources and Accessibility

FEAST is supported by a suite of resources including:

A facilitator’s guide and questionnaire templates.

A data application and manual for analysis.

Technical briefs and intervention sheets.

A global data repository for sharing and accessing aggregated data.

All materials are freely available under a Creative Commons license via ILRI’s website and the CGIAR repository here. [ilri.org]