1. 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, May 2012

2. Introduction
Sheep 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.

3. 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

4. Methodology
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 considered
Feed 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 .

5. Results and summary of VCA
Core functions in sheep and feed value chain, activities and actors

6. Sheep market routes at North Shewa connected to Addis Ababa
Producers
Primary Mkt
Secondary Mkt
Tertiary Mkt

7. 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)

8. 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)

9. 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)
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

10. Costs and margins of actors in a market channel selling crop residue and concentrate to users
Crop residues
Concentrate
Producers
Small traders
Traders
Selling price (Birr/sack) 35 55
Selling price (Birr/Qt)
325
Marketing cost (Birr/sack) - 8
Purchase from Addis (Birr/Qt)
280
Marketing M.(Birr/sack) 20
Gross margin 45
Net margin (Birr/sack) 12
Marketing cost (Birr/Qt) 18
Producer's share of final price (%)
34.29
Net margin(Birr/Qt)
27 
Concentrate include wheat bran and/or nug cake

11. Constraints and opportunities for sheep and feed Value chain
Opportunity
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)
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

12. 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.

13. Way for wards
Intervention 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.

14. 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.

15. “Thank you”
DBARC team