Ethiopian Livestock Feed Project, Beef Team

1. Characterization of the livestock production system and potential of feed-based interventions in Adama and Arsi Negelle Districts Ethiopian Livestock Feed Project, Beef Team

2. INTRODUCTION What is FEAST? • A tool to assess feed resource availability and use at site-level • A systematic and rapid method • Broadens feed assessment to determine: • whether livestock is an important livelihood strategy • importance of feed relative to other problems on the farm • Helps in the design of site-specific strategies for feed supply & utilization through technical and organizational interventions • FEAST is still under refinement

3. OBJECTIVES The Objectives were to: • gain an understanding of the overall production system with a particular focus on the livestock feeding practices of farmers in Adama & Arsi Negele Districts • identify key areas of intervention that could improve livestock productivity in the districts

4. METHODOLOGY • Adama District • Kechema • WonjiKuriftu • ArsiNegele District • Ali Wayo • KersaIlala • Both Districts located in the Rift Valley

6. Overview of the production system

7. METHODOLOGY Sites Selected Selection criteria AdamaArsiNegele KachemaWonjiKuriftu Ali WeyoKersaIlala • Proximity to woreda capital • Presence of Smallholder beef fattening activities

8. Numbers of participants from all kebeles.

9. Methodology of The FEAST Tool • Group discussion with farmers: • Kechema 20 (15 men and 5 women) • kuriftu 20 (11 men and 9 women) • Aliweyo 22 (15 men and 7 women) • KersaIlala 20 (15 men and 5 women) PRA Exercise • Individual interviews with 3 farmers • Quantitative information Individual Farmer Survey Data Analysis & Developing Interventions • Data entered into FEAST Template • Ideas for Interventions developed

10. Farming systems:average % contribution made by the various livelihood activities to total household income, ARSI NEGELE ALi Wayo Kersa Ilala

11. Contribution of feed resources to animal diets,Adama

12. Adama Kechema Kuriftu Fig. 21 & 21.The contributions made by the various feedstuffs (as a percentage) to the crude protein content of the diet of animals in kechema and wonji kuriftu kebele, Ethiopia Contribution of feed resources to animal diets (CP%), ADAMA-

13. Contribution of feed resources to animal diets, ArsiNege

14. Arsi Negelle Ali wayo K ersa ilala Fig. 22 & 23.The contributions made by the various feedstuffs (as a percentage) to the crude protein content of the diet of animals in Ali wayo and kersa ilala kebeles, Ethiopia Contribution of feed resources to animal diets (CP%), ArsiNegele

15. Feed Resource Availability & Seasonality • In kechemakebele the straw is usually fed as a whole fibre without any form of processing or manipulation prior to feeding and some times by mixing with concentrates • In wonjikuriftu the straw is fed by mixing with purchased concentrate feed. • But in both kebeles of ArsiNegelle district the straw is usually fed by mixing with <atela> (local liquor by product) and concentrate feed.

16. Feed Resource Availability & Seasonality Cultivated forages • Cultivated fodder as component of diet, ME and CP for kechema and kuriftu kebeles comprising approximately of 24% and 27%; 19% and 24%; 21% and 16; respectively. • But in Arsi Negele district (Ali wayo and kersa ilala) there is no cultivated fodder.

17. Problems and Constraints: ADAMA

18. Problems and Constraints: ARSI NEGELE

19. Suggested Solutions to constraints

20. Potential Interventions • Introduce least-cost fattening rations that help gradual shift away from certain crop/cottage industry byproducts that have disagreeable attributes: laborious to the women & too high wood fuel consuming that aggravate deforestation & climate change.

21. Limitations of the study • In using quick questioners some questions were found ambiguous, e.g. sale of livestock and livestock products. • In the selection procedure of three individuals for interview the selection might be fair if it is purposive rather than random. Besides, the sample size of only three respondents looks too small to represent the real situation.

22. Limitations of the study • The reliance on farmer estimates for calculating animal intake from grazing and intake from collected green fodder is a possible source of inaccuracy. • Farmers do give a rough estimate of the weight of crop residue but in the FEAST software space is not reserved in which the data was supposed to be filled in. As a result, the data analysis output shows zero value. This actually appears to be a temporary problem.

23. The Way Forward • The current beef production level is definitely below consumption levels & market demands. • The major impediment has been shortage of animal feed both in quantity and quality. For example, the fattening business in the kebeles is dependent upon crop residues & local liquor byproducts, all of which are unsustainable in supply. • There is a need to intensify efforts on extension in aspects of efficient utilization of feed resources; improved livestock management; veterinary service, to mention just a few. • Regardless of its considerable promise to the farming community and the national economy at large, farmers must be trained in beef fattening techniques, such as home mixing of low-cost fattening rations; etc.

24. Lessons Learnt • Women who had been isolated from community discussions were now observed to have equal or even better knowledge, zeal, willingness to learn and actively participated in debates of the PRA exercise. •  Participation of the farmers in group discussions regarding their own problems increased their awareness on various issues, what to expect from input supplies, credit services, market information, etc. • The discussion forum served as an efficient experience-sharing platform. • The participation of District Agriculture Offices and the Kebele DAs benefited them a lot on how to probe the problems of the farmers.

25. ~END~ THANK YOU