Characterization of beef cattle production and marketing systems in three selected woredas of east shewa zone

This study attempted to characterize the beef cattle production and marketing systems in three selected Woredas of East Shewa administrative zone, central Ethiopia. The specific objectives of the study were to characterize beef cattle production, marketing systems and determinants of market choices and to identify constraints and opportunities for beef cattle production and marketing in the study area. A total of 276 beef cattle producers, household heads, were selected and interviewed. Besides, household survey, the marketing system was also assessed from four well known cattle markets in East Shewa administrative zone namely Adama, Mojo, Wonji and Walanchiti. According to results of the study, for 220 (79.7%) of the respondents crop-livestock mixed production system is the main sources of income. Overall mean family size was 8.46 ± 0.17(Mean ± SE) heads per household and it was significantly different (p<0.05) among the three woredas. The average herd size of cattle per household in the study area was 10.39 ± 0.21(Mean ± SE) heads.. About 83% of the herd owners keep beef cattle to generate cash income and farming purposes. Overall, (76.40%) of the respondents used own products and purchased feeds for their cattle. In the study area the major feed resources ranked first, second and third were crop residue, natural pasture and oil seed cake with an index of 0.296, 0.266 and 0.245, respectively. About 114 (41.30%) of the respondents spent 200-300 ETB per month for the purchase of feed. Ponds and rivers are the major sources of water in the study areas. According to the sample households the constraints to cattle production system were lack of capital, high feed price and shortage of land for grazing and forage development were ranked as first, second and third with an index of 0.250, 0.193 and 0.109, respectively. The majority of the respondents 189 (68.50%); get destination market information before they went out to sell their cattle.. As stated by 237(85.90%) of the respondents; seasonal feed and water availability and the socioeconomic factors (fasting periods, holidays) were the major reasons for the cattle price variation across months/seasons.