Current Scenarios of Forage and Forage Seed Production and Use in Ethiopia

Getnet AssefaNovember, 2015

IntroductionImproved forage crops as feed for livestock in Ethiopia

- Major feed resources available (CSA, 2014/15, sedentary areas)

Negative Balance

• Inadequate, the quality is poor & supply is variable over the seasons. • Through better management, theses feeds could be used more efficiently.• But to transform livestock production - increasing feed supply is a key element

37%

32%

13%4%

1% 13%Grazing

Crop Residues

Hay

Agro-industrial byproducts

Improved Forage

Others

Feed supply and quality should be adequate

• Increasingly difficult for livestock to satisfactorily perform the various functions

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2010

2012

0102030405060708090 Human Population, Ethiopia

Year

Num

ber i

n Mi

llion

s

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Popu

latio

n in

Mill

ion

head

s

Year

Cattle

Cattle

•Grazing lands are shrinking over the years•Crop residues supply increased

Which way to improve feed supply to transform livestock productivity ?

• Feed supply and quality should be adequate Particularly supplement feeds

- Grains - very limited- Agro-industrial by products – very limited (but molasses has high

potential)- Improved cultivated forage crops – high potential

- In relation to current situation analysis, forage crops are the primary option from different perspectives

- Forage crop could provide high quality basal diet or be used as supplement to crop residues

Comparative Advantages of Forage Crops • Farmers can produce around

their vicinity• Productive and high in quality • Could be integrated with NRM

and many other options -multiple functions

• Diversified species and means of production

• Relatively cheaper• Positive contribution to climate

change - carbon sequestration

Available forage production packages• Many varieties / species are

registered and recommended - Suitable to different agro-ecologies and

production systems

• Productive and profitable agronomic practices are available

• Integration methods developed• Conservation practices • Major quality parameters known• Feeding strategies are available

Forage Crops Adoption• Intensification is a must to increase productivity due to

the rapid changes of population, production practices, investment, etc,

- Demand for improved forage crops is increasing But still adoption is very low• The dominant livestock production practice is still

subsistence -- not market oriented• Scarcity of land • Scarcity of seed and planting materials • Traditional production practices – cattle kept mainly

for traction, free grazing

Recommended Forage Promotion Approaches

1. Linking forage production to market oriented livestock systems

2. Linking forage production to the current farming practice, NRM, marginal lands, etc.

3. Strong extension system and support– Training, – Strong follow up– Create market linkage

4. Establish efficient input / output supply and marketing systems– Specially forage seeds

Current Forage Seed and Planting Material Situation in Ethiopia

Limited supply– Seed of few species available– Public seed enterprises are not

engaged– National demand is not well

estimated or understood– Production technologies are

limited– Experience and skills are poor– Prices are inflated due to low

supply

Available Forage Seed Technologies and Knowledge

Forage seeds require specialized experience, skills, facilities - specially for herbaceous perennial forages

Some Information is available ( for few species) - Seed productivity - Suitable production sites / agro-ecologies- Fertilizer application - Harvesting management- Seed threshing, cleaning and processing- Germination

National Forage Seed Standards (ESA) Ethiopia has national seed standard for some selected forage

crops (ES xxx - : 2000), 2012

26 Forage species 10 grasses, 12 legumes, 3 Browse trees and 1 root crop

Standards - Field standards - land requirements, rotation, Isolation, packing and marketing- Laboratory standards

- purity, diseases, germination, moisture

Institutional Setup of Seed Certification1. Variety release and

registration2 Certification of

competence for seed production

3. Certification of certified seeds

Animal and plant health regulatory directorate,

Federal MoA

Animal and plant health regulatory directorate,

Federal MoA

Regional organs for seed regulatory services, regional

BoA

Animal and plant health regulatory directorate,

Federal MOA

Regional organs for seed regulatory services, regional

BoA

National variety release committee

National seed inspection laboratory

Regional seed inspection laboratories

Forage Species / Variety Registration

Forage crops variety releasing / registration procedures was in place since 2005, MOA

Major parameters• Field evaluation procedures• Forage productivity• Nutritional quality• Disease and pest resistance

The procedures need revision and standards should be clearly established

About 27 forage species / varieties are officially registered

- For different agro ecologies and production systems

• Grasses - 12• Legumes - 13• Browse trees - 2

(MOA, 2014 – Crop variety register Issue 17)

• Most of the species are exotic• Only few local species • Few through adaptation • No of varieties registered

annually are increasing

Lessons from grain seeds certification

From the experience of grain seeds in Ethiopia the following are the major challenges to be considered

• Efficiency of providing seed certification services

Poor capacity of certification service providers- Institutional- Physical- Human

• Incomplete coverage of certification process along the seed value chain (production to marketing)

Major challenges of forage and forage seed development in Ethiopia

• Low level of intensification of livestock production, poor market orientation, free grazing, etc

• Increased population, increased food crops production and scarcity of land for forage production

• Poor access of livestock technologies, knowledge and support to farmers

• Lack of adequate and quality forage seeds and planting materials of recommended species and varieties

• Lack of appropriate and realistic information including, seed & forage supply and demands, marketing information, good practices, etc

Opportunities

• Government’s policy and support to livestock production and investment

• Increasing demand for livestock products locally and for export market

• The need for intensification of livestock production evolved from the current many dimensional changes

• Diversified agro-ecology and recommended technologies to produce different forages and forage seeds

• Various development initiatives like NRM, SLM,CRGE etc to integrate forage production.

The Way Forward

• Promote forage development linked with market oriented livestock systems, NRM, etc

• Analyze the national forage and forage seeds supply and demand with

appropriate procedures

• Improve seed quality control and release and certification process over long run – with quick release procedures enacted now until release and certification procedures and process in place

• Develop institutional models for forage and forage seed supply and

agribusiness development

• Capacity development of farmers, pastoralists development agents etc through strong extension, credit services, market linkage

Thank You