1. Ethiopian Livestock Feed Project, Beef Team
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 Arsi Negele District
Kechema
Wonji Kuriftu
Arsi Negele District
Ali Wayo
Kersa Ilala
Both Districts located in the Rift Valley

6. Overview of the production system
No.
Variables
Weredas
Adama
Arsi Negele
Kechema
Kuriftu
Ali-Weyo
Kersa-Ilala 1
Land size
2 ha
1.5 ha 2
House hold 6 7 10 3
Cropping Season 4
Irrigation no
yes No 5
Labour 50 46 45
Crops grown
Tef, wheat, maize, barley, beans and peas
Tef, wheat, maize, barley, beans
Tef, wheat, maize, barley
Tef, wheat, maize, potato
Fodder crops Grown
Leucaena, Napier grass, Sesbania sesban
Napier grass, fodder beet, alfalfa and Sesbania sesban
vetch 8
Livestock
Cattle, sheep, goats, donkey and poultry
Cattle, sheep, goats, donkey, Horse and poultry
Cattle, sheep, goats, poultry donkey and 9
Source of Income
100%
9.1
Agriculture 47 74 44 25
9.2 35 26 37 57
9.3 18
9.4
business 19

7. METHODOLOGY Adama Arsi Negele Proximity to woreda capital
Kachema Wonji Kuriftu Ali Weyo Kersa Ilala
Proximity to woreda capital
Presence of Smallholder beef fattening activities
Sites
Selected
Selection criteria

8. Numbers of participants from all kebeles.
No. of Participants
Wereda
Adama
Arsi Negele
Total
Kechema
Kuriftu
Ali-Weyo
Kersa-Ilala
Male 15 11 56
Female 5 9 7 26 20 22 82

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 entered into FEAST Template
Ideas for Interventions developed
Data
Analysis &
Developing
Interventions

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

11. Contribution of feed resources to animal diets, Adama

12. Contribution of feed resources to animal diets (CP%), 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

13. Contribution of feed resources to animal diets, Arsi Nege

14. Contribution of feed resources to animal diets (CP%), Arsi Negele
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

15. Feed Resource Availability & Seasonality
In kechema kebele 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 wonji kuriftu the straw is fed by mixing with purchased concentrate feed.
But in both kebeles of Arsi Negelle 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
Kechema
Kuriftu
1st
Livestock feed
2nd
Veterinary service
Cash/credit service
3rd
4th
AI service
Lack of training
5th
Livestock inputs

18. Problems and Constraints: ARSI NEGELE
Ali Woyo
Kersa Ilala
1st
Livestock feed
2nd
Cash/credit service
3rd
Market info.& broker fraudulent
Agricultural and livestock inputs
4th
Lack of knowledge
Veterinary service
5th

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~
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