CHALLENGES OF LIVESTOCK FARMING IN ETHIOPIA, in the Case of Arahara Region Central Gondar Zone, Eastern Denbia

Abstract

This study was conducted to review cattle rearing and livestock marketing practices in the crop- livestock farming system areas of the highland, mid-altitude and in the semi lowlands of Denbia woreda, Central Gondar zone of Amhara national regional state, Ethiopia. The livestock farming and marketing processes were assessed based on one time field visit, questionnaire survey and focus group discussions in highland, mid altitude and semi- lowland altitude area. A total of 100 household farmers were selected randomly from 6 Kebeles, which are chosen based on percentage of local kebeles exist in altitude zones for the study. The study showed that livestock’s were the most important genus in the study area. Average livestock holding per household different across the altitude zones, especially cattle and oxen holding per household in highland, midland and semi-lowland altitude zones were, 13.7 cattle and 4.1 oxen, 11.6 cattle and 3.98 oxen and 29.3 cattle and 6.2 oxen correspondingly. Natural pasture is the major supply resource feed of the woreda, but communal grazing land in their area is deteriorating at frightening rate. Crop residues provided the second major feed resources for livestock, predominantly during the dry season when biomass of natural grazing lands is very low. The challenges to livestock production system were feed shortage, drought, and diseases and parasites particularly Trypanosomiasis, shortage of grazing land, veterinary services, extension services, marketing and other infrastructures. Hence, more emphasis should be given to improving livestock productivity through strong extension services in proper management of the rangelands, feed conservation, crop residues treatment, healthcare, marketing and provision of credit facility.