Characterization of Livestock Production Systems and the Potential for Enhancing Productivity through Improved Feeding in Wolemera and Wuchale Districts, Ethiopia Dairy team Holeta 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

Major Findings

Berfeta Tokkoffa Robe-Gebya Land holding -Wolmera

Berfeta Tokkoffa Robe-Gebya Major sources of livelihoods - Wolmera

Berfeta Tokkoffa Robe-Gebya Average livestock holding (TLU) - Wolmera

Berfeta Tokkoffa Robe Gebya Feed resources Contribution - Wolmera

Problems Identified As more important Using Pair wise Ranking -Wolemra  Berefta Tokofa 1 St Feed shortage in both quality and quantity 2 nd Lack of knowledge 3 th Lack of improved breed 4th Lack of Managements 5 th Lack of Health services  Robi Gebya 1 St Low milk price/high cost of milk production 2 nd AI services and time spending tending animal 3 rd 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

Mechela-Wertu Bosoka-Jate Land holding -Wuchale

Mechela-Wertu Bosoka-Jate Major sources of livelihoods, Wuchale

Mechela-Wertu Average livestock holding (TLU), Wuchale Bosoka-Jate

Mechela-Wertu Bosoka-Jate Feed Resources Contribution - Wuchale

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 Solutions Mechela 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