Smallholder livestock production systems and constraints in the highlands of north and west shewa zones

Efforts to the productivity of livestock need to be integrated with the assessment and characterization of smallholder farmers' production practices and decision-making strategies. A study was conducted in north and west Shewa zones of Oromya region with the objectives of describing smallholder livestock production practicesidentifying and prioritizing constraints, and farmers' control strategies. Participatory rural appraisal and formal survey techniques were employed to collect qualitative and quantitative data, respectively. The results of the study indicated that 98% of the sample respondents in west Shewa zone owned a total herd size of about 9.0 livestock units (LU). This was significantly higher (P0.01) than the total LU in north Shewa zone (5.4). 40% of the sample farmers in the study areas either owned one ox or hand none. These groups of farmers depended wholly or partially on 60% of the farmers, who owned two or more oxen to get their land plowed. Land allocated for grazing and pasture composed 24% and 15% of the total land owned in west Shewa and north Shewa zones. There is evidence of decline in grazing due to human population pressure and the need for re-distribution of land to initiated families. Economic losses due to livestock diseases have become sever. Blackleg and Pasteurelosis were the most prevalent while Anthrax and Rabies were the most severe animal diseases in the study areas. Smallholder farmers practicing integrated crop-livestock production in the highland derived more income than those households practicing only crop production. Livestock served as sources of draft power and manure for crop production and also served as sources of cash that can be used to buy agricultural inputs for crop production. Crops were source of feed and shelter for the livestock. The cause, effects and farmers' control strategies of some of the important livestock production constraints have been described in this paper. Possible research, extension, development and policy intervention options are also suggested.