Adoption of small ruminants’ fattening package in agropastoral areas, Mieso Wereda, Eastern Oromia

Many studies were conducted to identify determinants of adoption of crop base technologies and practices and improved seeds, and while few studies concerned on evaluation of extension services in terms of the clients’ need and interest or adoption of livestock technologies in agropastoral and pastoral context In fact, livestock extension services in general in developing countries are less prioritized and thus livestock based technology services are rarely extended Common livestock technologies which are promoted to livestock raisers are focused on feed, veterinary services, and improved management practices through the extension services of agricultural/pastoral offices and livestock development units. The case hereunder, is about agropastoralists extension services evaluative perception and small ruminant fattening package adoption. Hence, this study investigates agropastoralists’ perception on the extension services, small ruminant fattening package and intensity of adoption small ruminants’ fattening package. The study is undertaken in Mieso Wereda, Oromia Region,Ethiopia. The Wereda has agropastoral and pastoral production system. The data are collected from 151 randomly selected pastoralists and agropastoralists using structured interview schedule. Secondary data were collected from different sources to supplement the data obtained from the survey. In addition to quantitative data qualitative data also gathered. Prior to formal survey an informal survey was also undertaken by using group discussion and interview with key informants. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage mean, standard deviation, Chi-square tests and t-test were employed. The Tobit model was also employed to determine factors influencing intensity of small ruminant fattening package adoption. This study identifies agropoastoralists and pastoralists are poorly addressed and their need and interests are not considered in any extension programmes The Tobit model output showed that, agropastoralists intensity of adoption of small ruminant fattening package is influenced by: perception on the availability of improved breed, perception on resources based conflicts, current management practices, total livestock holding of HHs and credit use and availability for veterinary purposes. Future extension activities and agencies,promoting fattening package in agropastoral and pastoral areas, should focus on targeting agropastoralists with low perception on the availability of better breed, information and demonstration on the improved management practices, revision of credit supply criteria, making awareness and demonstration of the significant importance of small ruminants in the agropastoral and pastoral income and livelihoods contribution is important.