Characterization of Livestock Production Systems and the Potential for Enhancing Productivity through

Improved Feeding in Wolemera and Wuchale Districts, Ethiopia

Dairy teamHoleta Agricultural Research Center

Back Ground

The FEAST (Feed Assessment Tool) It is a systematic Method to rapidly assess the

livestock production system and feed resource base in the smallholder context

FEAST Helps in the design of intervention strategies aiming to optimize feed utilization and animal production

The tool was tested in two selected woredas (Wolmera and Wuchale) in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Objective

To test the application of FEAST for rapid assessment

and characterization of livestock production systems

and the feed resource base in the two woredas.

Methodology

Wolmera Wuchale

Berfeta Robi Wechela Bosoka Tokofa Gebya Wertu Jate

Selection Criteria:

Dairy production system (one village based on local cattle and the other village market oriented using crossbred cattle)

12 – 14 farmers (2-5 women) selected (wealth status, gender, age groups) from each village. Responses collected during the key informant interview to calculate approximate average values Were analyzed using Microsoft Excel

selected sites

Major Findings

Berfeta Tokkoffa Robe-Gebya

Land holding -Wolmera

Berfeta TokkoffaRobe-Gebya

Major sources of livelihoods - Wolmera

Berfeta Tokkoffa Robe-Gebya

Average livestock holding (TLU) - Wolmera

Berfeta Tokkoffa Robe Gebya

Feed resources Contribution - Wolmera

Problems Identified As more important Using Pair wise Ranking -Wolemra

Berefta Tokofa

1St Feed shortage in both quality and quantity

2nd Lack of knowledge

3th Lack of improved breed

4th Lack of Managements

5th Lack of Health services

Robi Gebya

1St Low milk price/high cost of milk

production 2nd AI services and time spending

tending animal

3rd Feed shortage in both quality and quantity

4th Lack of availability of improved breed

5th Trekking of long distance for fetching of water from watering point

Possible solution

Berefta Tokofa Robi gebeya Planting of improved forage crops at backyard, around fence, farm side

Reducing the herd size Improving the utilization of

straws of different food crops Use of AI service to selected

best body condition local dairy cows and increasing awareness in improved livestock management

Providing farmers with continues training

Organizing farmers to transport their milk to terminal market (Addis Ababa),

Providing farmers with a greater understanding of common diseases in the area will improve the health of their animals

Strengthen the capacity of farmers to use underground

water

Use of AI service to selected best body condition local dairy cows and increasing awareness in improved livestock management

Mechela-WertuBosoka-Jate

Land holding -Wuchale

Mechela-WertuBosoka-Jate

Major sources of livelihoods, Wuchale

Mechela-Wertu

Average livestock holding (TLU), Wuchale

Bosoka-Jate

Mechela-WertuBosoka-Jate

Feed Resources Contribution - Wuchale

Problems Identified As The more important Using Pair wise Ranking -Wucahle

Mechela wertu

1. high cost and poor quality of supplementary feed

2. Animal health problem and lack of vet service

3. Inadequate AI service 4.Lack of improved

breeds

Bosoka -jate

1 low milk price 2 High cost and poor quality

supplementary feed 3 Lack of improved breeds/AI service 4 Limited animal

health services provider

Possible SolutionsMechela wortu

Improving the feeding value of crop residues through Improved technology

Increase biomass yield, use of nutritionally and potentially improved forage crops,

use of oats hay, and reducing the number of animals

To increase the number of local drug shops

Increase the number of health service providers and enhance education on control of diseases and vaccinations.

Bosoka -jate

Organizing farmers to transport their milk to terminal market (Addis Ababa),

2 Planting of improved forage crops at backyard, around fence, farm side

Use of AI service to selected best body condition local dairy cows and increasing awareness in improved livestock management

Increase the number of health service providers and enhance education on control of diseases and vaccinations.

Lessons Learned Using More Key informants might give more

representative result

This tool is Important and save time to design intervention strategies aiming to optimize feed utilization and animal production

The FEAST Tool(Excel Software)and stucture questioner needs further improvement

It was learning process for the team

The way forward Introduce simple feed processing technologies to

improve the quality of the existing feed Introduce fodder crops to improve the quantity

and quality of feed Providing adequate training to farmers in

Techniques of disease prevention, feed management record keeping

Strengthen the capacity of Cooperatives, unions, AI and health services at village level

Strengthen the linkage between Research,extensoin and farmers

Linking with sustainable formal market access