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
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
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