FACTORS INFULLNCING OF ADOPTION OF LIVESTOCK ZEROGRAZING FEEDING PRACTICE IN TIGRAY REGION: THE CASE OF TAHTAYKORARO, MEDEBAY ZANA AND ASGEDETSMIBLA DISTRICTS

Abstract

This study attempted to investigate factors affecting adoption of livestock zero grazing feeding in Tahtay Koraro, Medebay Zana and Asgede Tsibila woredas of Tigray region, Ethiopia. The study was conducted in three districts of Medebay zana, Tahtay Koraro and Asgede Tsimibla Districts of Tigray Region to assess factors influencing on adoption of livestock zero-grazing feeding. In this study, the effectiveness of bylaws on grazing management/zero-grazing was assessed and factors that influence farmers’ perceptions on adoption of livestock feeding of zero-grazing were assessed. Random sampling was used to select 117 sample respondents in six Keble. The main method of data collection was interview with sample respondents to get firsthand information for the study. Additionally, focused group discussion was also employed to supplement the data collected from the sample respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics was employed to describe the characteristics of respondents and other similar issue. On the other hand, binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting farmers’ perception on adoption of zero-grazing practice .The findings show that zero-grazing practice accounts for 37% the grazing system in the study area. Bylaws on livestock feeding of zero-grazing system are implemented in Medebay Zana followed by Tahtay Koraro and Asgede Tsimibla districts, showing middle and poor level of implementation, respectively. The results obtained from logistic model showed that farmers’ participation in training, farming experience of the household measured in years, labor availability of the household, credit access of the household and formal educational level of the household were found to have statistically significant and positive effect on farmers’ perception on adoption of zero-grazing in this study. Land size of the household and age of the household were found to have statistically significant and negatively effect on farmers’ perception on adoption of zero-gazing practice. Having large size of livestock also was found affected negatively farmer’s perception on adoption of zero-grazing practice. Therefore destocking of local animals and awareness creation to community about managing of communal grazing land is important adoption of zero-grazing practice