Ethiopian Livestock Feed (ELF) Project FEAST Field Report - Sheep

By

Beneberu Teferra, Solomon Gizaw, Lemma Yohanis, Shenkute Goshime, Aschalew Tsegahun

Introduction

• Survey Methodology: PRA and Individual interviews

• Name of site/village: Godino Wegitu

• Name of district: Ada

• Country: Ethiopia

• Number of participants present: 4 males and 1 female

• Date: 14/03/2012

• Start time of PRA: 10:55 a.m

• Finish time of PRA: 12:25 p.m

• Total time: 1:30 hr

General Farming System Description

The average farm size (cultivable land) is 1.5 ha The average household size is 7 persons

• Rainfall pattern scored from 0 (not available) to 5 (highly available)

Months Jan Feb March April May June July Aug. Sept Oct Nov Dec.

Rainfallpattern 1 2 2 2 0 3 4 5 2 1 0 0

Rainfall Pattern

Cropping Seasons at Godino District

Name of

season Jan Feb March April May June July Aug. Sept Oct Nov Dec.

Belg

(irrigatio

n

X X X X

Mehir X X X X X X X

Irrigation is available to 85% of households through different land acquisition arrangements (rent, share, etc.)

Labour

• Labour is available, mostly family labour is used

• Labour requirement peaks during October – January (peak

harvest time)

• Wage rate ranges from 34 to 50 Birr per manday

• About 4% of the household members leave the farm for off-

farm work or education daily

Individual Livestock Holdings

Average Livestock Holdings and Uses PRA Group Discussion

Management of Livestock Species

• Housing: traditional livestock houses

• Feeding practice: open grazing in communal areas and stall-feeding

• Feed processing: chopping of maize stover, preparation of mixed rations composed of molasses, noug cake and atela.  

• Management practices vary according to the season; e.g. oxen are supplemented during Feb. to April

Quantity of Feed Purchased over a 12 month Period

DM Content of Total Diet

ME Content of Total Diet

Input and services

• There is no credit service in the area • The local credit and saving cooperative is yet to build its

capacity to give credit services

• There is land shortage due to high population pressure• There is no fallowing practice in the area• More than one cropping per year is practiced • Inputs like fertilizer (Urea and DAP), cement and irrigation

equipments are available in the market• However, services are not timely and of standard quality

Availability of Feed Resources

Fodder Crops Grown at Gudino

Dominant Fodder Crops Grown at Gudino

Veterinary Services

• Generally veterinary services are inadequately supplied to the

area

• Only one assistant veterinarian for the Kebele

• Cost of Government Veterinary service is fair

• Private vet services are too expensive for the farmers

Breeding Services

• Availability of AI – not available adequately, serving large population with one technician and few equipments

 

• Price of semen and AI service – Gov’t it is 23Birr/cow

• Private it is 210 Birr/cow

 

• Rate of repeat services – at least 3 times

 

• Price of bull services – it is about 100Birr but mostly with free if the farmer friendship is well recognized and the bull is mostly local

3. Problems, Issues, Opportunities within the Livestock System

Major problems faced by farmers and opportunities:

Problem 1: Artificial insemination service (AI)Opportunity: • AI service should be available in time and AI technicians need

to be on their work place as they are sometime not available when they are needed.

• AI kit should be provided to farmer AI technicians who are already trained

Problem 2: Improved breeding stock (cow, heifer)Opportunity:• High blood level of improved cow/heifer from known sources

Problem 3: FeedOpportunity:• Forage Seed with affordable price• Feed (concentrate) with good quality

Problem 4: Advisory serviceOpportunity: • Working with research and extension• Training and experience sharing

Problem 5: Milk marketOpportunity: • Improving the capacity of local cooperative towards working

in provision of input and use as the outlet of outputs• Support from government to alleviate market problems

Pairwise Comparisons of Farmers’ Problems

Pairwise Comparisons Summary

The marketing of milk as considered the most important problem, while livestock feeds was the least of their problems. Advisory service was not considered a problem at all.

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