This cattle breed used seems well adapted for fattening and showed a strong response to improved fodder. However, this bull fattening activity presented two major constraints.First, it seems difficult for smallholders to carry out this kind of livestock production without technical support and use of fertiliser (thermophosphate). The second limiting factor could be that the system was first perceived as requiring an initial cash investment.Development of specific market channels for forage seed production could indirectly improve pasture management, avoid high stocking rates and generate new income that could be invested in fertiliser and animal care. A global approach involving credit access, technical and political support has to be defined to develop productive and efficient livestock production on this ecology. This poses a great challenge which, if grasped, could yield great benefits on the upper part of the Nam Ngum river basin.