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Sheep and feed value chain analysis in the central highlands of Ethiopia

By: Beneberu T., Lemma H.Y., Shenkute G., Aschalew T., and Solomon G. Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Center, Debre Birhan, Ethiopia

ILRI, Addis Ababa, 28-29 May 2012

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IntroductionSheep are owned by smallholder farmers as an integral part of the livestock sub-sector and contribute to both subsistence and cash income generation

It is common to see a stack of crop residues around villages as the farmer is aware of the monetary and feed value of crop residues.

Generally, it seems that there is a limited information on sheep and feed value chain and how the markets are functioning.

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Objectives

To analyze sheep and feed value chain and assess the determinants of

sheep and feed market supply in the study area

To identify major constraints and opportunities for sheep and feed

value chain in the study area

To test tools prepared for analysis of sheep and feed value chain and

provide feedback for further improvement

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Study area: Angolela Tera districts 107 km away from Addis. For PRA study 2 Kebeles and within each kebele 12 representative producers were selected with the help of district agrl’ office experts Age, sex, wealth and educational level were consideredFeed and sheep traders of the districts were interviewed representing secondary/intermediate markets. Export abattoir were also interviewed representing terminal market. Data was analyzed using descriptive and cost margin analysis .

Methodology

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Results and summary of VCACore functions in sheep and feed value chain, activities and actors

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Sheep market routes at North Shewa connected to Addis Ababa

Producers Primary Mkt Secondary Mkt Tertiary Mkt

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Sheep VC actors and major channels

Identified channels for

sheep marketing

CH 1- Sheep purchased for

breeding/ fattening purpose by

farmers

CH 2- Sheep purchased by

hotels and individual

consumers in the study areas

CH 3- Sheep transported to

Addis Ababa butchers ,

supermarkets and consumer

markets

CH 4- Sheep slaughtered at

Modjo export abattoirs (Luna)

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Feed VC actors and major channels

Identified channels for feed marketing

CH 1. Crop residue purchased for nearby town dairy production

CH 2. Concentrate purchased by traders and cooperatives for distribution to farmers (rearing/fattening/dairy)

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Costs and margins of actors in a market channel selling sheep to export abattoirs, butchers and supermarkets

Export abattoirs Butchers Super markets

Producers selling price (Birr/head) to d/t actors 620.00 900.00 650.00

Selling price (Birr/head) 1077.00 1500.00 1350.00

Marketing cost (Birr/head) 87.00 60.50 95.60

Marketing margin (Birr/head) 227.00 150.00 480.00

Net margin (Birr/head) 140.00 89.50 384.40

Producer's share of final price (%) 57.57 60.00 48.15

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Costs and margins of actors in a market channel selling crop residue and concentrate to users

Crop residues Concentrate

ProducersSmall traders Traders

Selling price (Birr/sack) 35 55 Selling price (Birr/Qt) 325Marketing cost (Birr/sack) - 8 Purchase from Addis

(Birr/Qt) 280

Marketing M.(Birr/sack) 20 Gross margin 45Net margin (Birr/sack) 12 Marketing cost (Birr/Qt) 18Producer's share of final price (%) 34.29 Net margin(Birr/Qt) 27

Concentrate include wheat bran and/or nug cake

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Constraints and opportunities for sheep and feed Value chainConstraints

Problem in input supply– Improved rams, feed seed, drug supply

shortage hamper– Credit - high interest, group collateral

Production constraints– Feed shortage and free grazing– Inadequate livestock health services– Lack of improved breed and forage seed

Transportation constraints– High cost of transportation

Market constraints– Lack of reliable source of mkt information– Lack of market place and infrastructure– Seasonality in SS and DD for sheep and feed

Institutional and organizational constraints• Double taxation

– There is double taxation –at d/t checkpoints• Lack of sheep and feed trader cooperatives• In adequate training (Skills and knowledge)

Opportunity

An increasingly high demand for sheep

meat and animal feed in local markets

Government's commitment and support

to increase export of meat

The establishment of Livestock

Development and Health Agency

Individuals engaged in fattening practice

Farmers Awareness increasing

Transport access to the main market

High demand in Export meat

Increase in number of export abattoirs

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Conclusion The District is known to be drought prone and the sale rate is highest during crop failures and before harvest of staple food crops. Hence in these household sheep are considered as the major farm buffering assets.

Nearly all of the respondents rear sheep for subsistence and to generate income.

Smallholder farmers are the main suppliers of the animal and sale at any time when immediate income is required.

Information on markets quantitative aspects (supply, demand, prices, producer and consumer behavior) are not adequately known.

Major sheep feeds obtained from grazing on crop stubble, private pasture, road side, communal pasture, weeds, tillers and fillers.

Feed availability largely depends on the season of the year when lands are covered with either Meher or Belg season crops.

Optimum utilization of seasonal available feeds through preservation of crop residues and grasses and strategic supplementation with low cost alternatives like development of improved forage is vital to balance seasonal feed supply and animal requirements.

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Way for wardsIntervention works needs to correspond to the household flock holdings, best bred but small flock size.

Household level sheep fattening managements is extensive through extended period using generous inputs. Research needs to provide information on efficient and economic utilization of the available resources.

Quantitative aspects of marketing (supply, demand, prices, producer and consumer behavior) require prompt further investigation to provide complete marketing information.

The private sector needs to be encouraged in areas of sheep development by generating and availing appropriate information for investment on the potential benefits to be gained from the growing domestic and export markets.

Farmers have to be equipped with the skills of innovative knowledge that can make them improve the management and storages of crop residues and proper supplementations.

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Lessons learned

Sheep and feed production constraints in the study area are identified.

Production intervention should focus in providing improved breeds

and forage seeds/seedling to the area.

Major sheep and feed market channels have been identified by this

study.

Seasonality in supply and demand for sheep and feed are recognized.

Sheep and feed marketing will remain to local markets where there are

no formal market information and with very little infrastructure.

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“Thank you”DBARC team