Determinants of Forage and Forage Seed Production in Silte and Gurage Zones and, Yem Special Woreda, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Samuel Zawde; Destaw Muluye

Abstract

Poor feed and nutrition are major constraints of livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. Crop residues are becoming the major livestock feed resources in Ethiopia. Crop residues are nutritionally characterized as containing a high proportion of cell wall and deficient in energy, protein and micronutrients. The country has developed several feed production and utilization technologies. However, production of these technologies has so far been under expected. So, identification of the major determinants and policy factors influencing the production of improved feed technologies are required to help design policy and institutional interventions to improve smallholder farmers production and utilization of improved forages. A household survey was applied to collect information from 120 farm households, and Multiple linear regression model was used to quantify the factors determining improved forage and forage seed production. The analysis revealed that land holding, family size and education level of households had positive and significant influence, whereas distance to farmers training centre and distance to market from their residence had negative and significant influence on improved forage and forage seed production. Policy suggestions drawn from the study results include: (1) As education has positive and significant impact on improved forage production and utilization, strengthening education in the study area could increase improved forage production and utilization. (2) Enhancing strong agricultural extension services to transfer and practice agricultural technology like improved forage production and utilization in small plot of land together with crop production (3) Finally, to encourage the production and utilization of improved forage using family members as labour force helps to minimize labour cost and could increase production and utilization of improved forage. These all-discussed issues above should be considered by responsible government and non-government bodies to encourage the production and utilization of improved forage.

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