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Current IssueEditorial BoardOnline First ArticlesArchive

Research Article

volume 38 issue 4 (december 2018) : 280-284,   Doi: 10.18805/ag.D-133

Improved forage production practice and challenges in Libokemkem District, Ethiopia 

W
Workye Melese
A
Aschalew Assefa
K
Kirkim Dehninet
1University of Gondar, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Production and Extension, P.O. Box 196Gondar, Ethiopia.
Cite article:- Melese Workye, Assefa Aschalew, Dehninet Kirkim (2019). Improved forage production practice and challenges in Libokemkem District, Ethiopia. Agricultural Science Digest. 38(4): 280-284. doi: 10.18805/ag.D-133.

ABSTRACT

Cross sectional study was conducted with the objective of assessing improved forage production practice and challenges faced by farmers. Both random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select respondents in the district. The collected data were analyzed using statistical package for social science version 16. The major feed resource in the dry season was crop residue (Index value = 0.312) and natural pasture in wet season (Idex value=0.392). Majority of the  households (55.6%) were not cultivating improved forage and the most frequently cultivated improved forages were elephant grass (Index value 0.211), rhodes  grass (Index value 0.163), and dasho grass (index value 0.155). Shortage of land, lack of input, lack of awareness, and poor extension service were the challenges faced by farmers in their descending order of importance. From this result it can be concluded that improved forage production practice is poor and strong extension service delivery is recommended. 

REFERENCES

  1. Abate, F., A. Yami (2000). The feed resource base and feeding management of the traditional draught oxen fattening practice by smallholder farmers in the eastern Hararghe highlands, Ethiopia. Proceedings of the 7th annual conference of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP) 26-27 May 1999, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Pp.179-1188.
  2. Alemayehu, M. (2004). Pasture and forage resource profiles of Ethiopia. Ethiopia/FAO. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: 19p.
  3. Assefa, F., Ano T., Aba T. and Ebrahim Z. (2015). Assessment of improved forage types and their utilization in Shashogo Woreda, Hadiya zone, Southern Ethiopia. Global Journal of Animal Science, Livestock Production and Animal Breeding 3(6): 227-230.
  4. Behnke, R. (2010). The contribution of livestock to the economies of IGAD member states: study findings, application of the methodology in Ethiopia and recommendations for further work. IGAD LPI Working Paper 02–10. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: IGAD Livestock Policy Initiative.
  5. Beshir, H. (2014). Factors affecting the adoption and intensity of use of improved forages in North East Highlands of Ethiopia. American Journal of Experimental Agriculture 4(1): 12-27
  6. Bezabih, B., M. Iemenih and A. Regassa (2016). Farmers perception on soil fertility status of small-scale farming system in southwestern Ethiopia. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management 7(9): 143-153
  7. Dandekar, A. K., and Kammar, S. K. (2016). Adoption pattern of improved pigeonpea varieties in Gulbarga district, Karnataka, India. Agricultural Science Digest, 36(4). 255-260
  8. Desta, S. and Coppock D. L. (2002). Cattle population dynamics in the southern Ethiopian rangelands. Journal of Range Management 55(5): 439-451
  9. Elias, M., Hensel O., Richter U., Hülsebusch C., Kaufmann B.and Wasonga O. (2015). Land conversion dynamics in the Borana rangelands of Southern Ethiopia: an integrated assessment using remote sensing techniques and field survey data. Environments 2(1): 1-31
  10. Gebremedhin, B., Ahmed M.and Ehui S. (2003). Determinants of adoption of improved forage technologies in crop-livestock mixed systems: Evidence from the highlands of Ethiopia 37(4): 262-273
  11. Gebremedhin, B., Hoekstra D. and Tegegne A. (2006). Commercialization of Ethiopian agriculture: Extension service from input supplier to knowledge broker and facilitator. IPMS Working Paper 1. Nairobi (Kenya): ILRI
  12. Mekoya, A., S. Oosting, S. Fernandez-Rivera and A. Van der Zijpp (2008). Multipurpose fodder trees in the Ethiopian highlands: Farmers’ preference and relationship of indigenous knowledge of feed value with laboratory indicators. Agricultural Systems 96(1-3): 184-194.
  13. Metaferia, F., Cherenet T. G., Abnet F., Tesfay A., Abdi J. and Gulilat W. (2011). A review to improve estimation of livestock contribution to the national GDP, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: IGAD LPI Working Papers [25], https://hdl.handle.net/10568/24987.
  14. Tadesse, A. (1990). The unexploited potential of improved forages in mid-altitude and low land areas of Ethiopia. Utilization of Research Results on Forage and Agricultural by-product Materials as Animal Feed Resources in Africa. Food and Agriculture Organization 2: 503-517.
  15. Teshome, M. (2014). Population growth and cultivated land in Rural Ethiopia: Land use dynamics, access, farm size, and fragmentation. Resources and Environment 4(3): 148-161.
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    Research Article

    volume 38 issue 4 (december 2018) : 280-284,   Doi: 10.18805/ag.D-133

    Improved forage production practice and challenges in Libokemkem District, Ethiopia 

    W
    Workye Melese
    A
    Aschalew Assefa
    K
    Kirkim Dehninet
    1University of Gondar, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Department of Animal Production and Extension, P.O. Box 196Gondar, Ethiopia.
    Cite article:- Melese Workye, Assefa Aschalew, Dehninet Kirkim (2019). Improved forage production practice and challenges in Libokemkem District, Ethiopia. Agricultural Science Digest. 38(4): 280-284. doi: 10.18805/ag.D-133.

    ABSTRACT

    Cross sectional study was conducted with the objective of assessing improved forage production practice and challenges faced by farmers. Both random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select respondents in the district. The collected data were analyzed using statistical package for social science version 16. The major feed resource in the dry season was crop residue (Index value = 0.312) and natural pasture in wet season (Idex value=0.392). Majority of the  households (55.6%) were not cultivating improved forage and the most frequently cultivated improved forages were elephant grass (Index value 0.211), rhodes  grass (Index value 0.163), and dasho grass (index value 0.155). Shortage of land, lack of input, lack of awareness, and poor extension service were the challenges faced by farmers in their descending order of importance. From this result it can be concluded that improved forage production practice is poor and strong extension service delivery is recommended. 

    REFERENCES

    1. Abate, F., A. Yami (2000). The feed resource base and feeding management of the traditional draught oxen fattening practice by smallholder farmers in the eastern Hararghe highlands, Ethiopia. Proceedings of the 7th annual conference of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP) 26-27 May 1999, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Pp.179-1188.
    2. Alemayehu, M. (2004). Pasture and forage resource profiles of Ethiopia. Ethiopia/FAO. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: 19p.
    3. Assefa, F., Ano T., Aba T. and Ebrahim Z. (2015). Assessment of improved forage types and their utilization in Shashogo Woreda, Hadiya zone, Southern Ethiopia. Global Journal of Animal Science, Livestock Production and Animal Breeding 3(6): 227-230.
    4. Behnke, R. (2010). The contribution of livestock to the economies of IGAD member states: study findings, application of the methodology in Ethiopia and recommendations for further work. IGAD LPI Working Paper 02–10. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: IGAD Livestock Policy Initiative.
    5. Beshir, H. (2014). Factors affecting the adoption and intensity of use of improved forages in North East Highlands of Ethiopia. American Journal of Experimental Agriculture 4(1): 12-27
    6. Bezabih, B., M. Iemenih and A. Regassa (2016). Farmers perception on soil fertility status of small-scale farming system in southwestern Ethiopia. Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management 7(9): 143-153
    7. Dandekar, A. K., and Kammar, S. K. (2016). Adoption pattern of improved pigeonpea varieties in Gulbarga district, Karnataka, India. Agricultural Science Digest, 36(4). 255-260
    8. Desta, S. and Coppock D. L. (2002). Cattle population dynamics in the southern Ethiopian rangelands. Journal of Range Management 55(5): 439-451
    9. Elias, M., Hensel O., Richter U., Hülsebusch C., Kaufmann B.and Wasonga O. (2015). Land conversion dynamics in the Borana rangelands of Southern Ethiopia: an integrated assessment using remote sensing techniques and field survey data. Environments 2(1): 1-31
    10. Gebremedhin, B., Ahmed M.and Ehui S. (2003). Determinants of adoption of improved forage technologies in crop-livestock mixed systems: Evidence from the highlands of Ethiopia 37(4): 262-273
    11. Gebremedhin, B., Hoekstra D. and Tegegne A. (2006). Commercialization of Ethiopian agriculture: Extension service from input supplier to knowledge broker and facilitator. IPMS Working Paper 1. Nairobi (Kenya): ILRI
    12. Mekoya, A., S. Oosting, S. Fernandez-Rivera and A. Van der Zijpp (2008). Multipurpose fodder trees in the Ethiopian highlands: Farmers’ preference and relationship of indigenous knowledge of feed value with laboratory indicators. Agricultural Systems 96(1-3): 184-194.
    13. Metaferia, F., Cherenet T. G., Abnet F., Tesfay A., Abdi J. and Gulilat W. (2011). A review to improve estimation of livestock contribution to the national GDP, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: IGAD LPI Working Papers [25], https://hdl.handle.net/10568/24987.
    14. Tadesse, A. (1990). The unexploited potential of improved forages in mid-altitude and low land areas of Ethiopia. Utilization of Research Results on Forage and Agricultural by-product Materials as Animal Feed Resources in Africa. Food and Agriculture Organization 2: 503-517.
    15. Teshome, M. (2014). Population growth and cultivated land in Rural Ethiopia: Land use dynamics, access, farm size, and fragmentation. Resources and Environment 4(3): 148-161.
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