Characterization of Livestock Production Systems and Potentials for Enhancing Productivity through Improved Feeding

in Menz and Angogela-Tera Districts in Ethiopia

by Debre-Birhan Agricultural Research Centre

Objectives

• To assess feed resource availability and use in the subalpine highlands of Ethiopia using a feed assessment tool (FEAST)

• To characterize the livestock production and feeding systems

• To determine site-specific feed intervention potentials in selected villages in Menz and Angolela-Tera districts

2

3

Angolela-Tera district- Chefanen kebele- Cheki kebele

Menz-Gera district- Dargegne kebele - Sinamba kebele

Methodology The study site

Methodology

The FEAST Tool

4

• Informal Group discussion with 15 farmers (10 men and 5 women)

PRAExercise

• Individual interviews with 3 farmers• Quantitative information

IndividualFarmerSurvey

• Data entered into FEAST Template• Ideas for Interventions developed

Data Analysis &DevelopingInterventions

The Farming Systems

5

Land size (ha)

Major food crops

6

Important livestock Species

Contributions to livelihoods

Feed Resources

7

Major fodder crops

Seasonality of feed supply

8

Contribution to dry matter intake

Contribution to ME content of the diet

Contribution to CP content of the diet

Problems and Constraints

Problem (In order of importance)

Menz Angolela-Tera

1. Feed shortages Feed shortages

2. Animal disease Animal disease

3. Uncontrolled breeding Limited knowledge in animal management

4. Lack of improved breeding stock Lack of improved breeding stock

5. Grazing land shortage Grazing land shortage

6 Marketing problem Marketing problem

9

Perceived Solutions by Farmers

Problem Menz Angolela-Tera

Feed shortage

- Set aside part of crop land for forages;- Improve forage seed supply;- Regulating ‘encroachment’ of grazing areas; - Timely collection and conservation of feed for the dry season;

Improving availability and access (affordable price) to commercial concentrates; setting aside part of crop land for growing forages; limiting herd size;

Animal disease

-Availing regular vaccination and spraying; - Improved feeding; - Accessible Health service posts.

Genuine drug supply; Availing regular vaccination; improved management and hygiene;

Uncontrolled breeding

- Adopting recommended breeding season; - Herding male and females separately during off-season periods.

Limited management knowledge

Improving extension service and applying expert advices; Training and awareness creation;

10

Potential InterventionsProblem Menz Angolela-Tera

Feed shortage

- Forage tree dev’t integrated with soil conservation structures- Forage tree dev’t as live fences- Crop residue treatment- Crop residue-based ration- Provision of concentrates thru coops.- Grazing lands ?

- Cultivated forage development

- Forage tree dev’t as live fences- Crop residue treatment- Crop residue-based diet

Animal disease

- Community-based health service- Private health services (USAID model)

- Private health services (USAID model

Uncontrolled breeding

- Community-based cooperative breeding schemes

Mng’t knowledge

11

Experiences Using FEAST

A holistic approach – FEAST considers resources, socio-economic status, cropping system and non-feed aspects of livestock system

Tool can be used for a rapid appraisal of other aspects of livestock systems

Integrates indigenous (participatory) and modern animal science knowledge and methods

A rapid and facilitated data collection, analysis and interpretation

FEAST is very friendly, also allows editing basic parameters

Data from individual interviews – FEAST accommodates 6, 2 per wealth class

Data from FGD – more reliable, but less used by FEAST

Some difficult questions – trend data by month (e.g. milk yield, prices, …) By season easier for farmers and more realistic?

Crop residue contribution to DM intake – Doubtful results!

12

Way Forward

Improvement in FEAST:• Accommodating larger sample size, and/or• Use of data from FGDs from 2 kebeles in FEAST Excel

Woreda-based study and recommendation domain:

• Administrative boundaries for agricultural devt?

• Within-woreda variability in agro-ecology (major factor in feed)

• Narrows/Limits applicability of findings

• ! Study site selection and recommendations by AEZs, prod systemDissemination of tool – promotion to and training of usersLinking FEAST and TechFit

13

THANK YOU

14