Availability of Fodder Trees and Shrubs Integrated Into Agricultural Systems in Eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia

Abstract

Tree/shrub based feed resources and feeding systems in Eastern Hararghe are not studied well. Therefore, a study aimed at assessing the availability of fodder trees and shrubs integrated into farming system, available feed resources, and feeding systems was made in two districts of eastern Hararghe zone, Ethiopia. A total of 268 respondents from the two districts, both from lowland and highland agro ecology, were interviewed. Sørensen’s Similarity Index was used to assess species composition in relation to agroecology. The result revealed that about 67.2% of the respondents have not integrated any fodder trees and shrubs into their farmlands whereas only 32.8% of the respondents integrated fodder trees and shrubs into their farmlands. A total of 20 fodder and non-fodder tree species were identified. Regarding tree species composition, only 46% of tree species were found in both districts, whereas about 54% of the tree species were dissimilar between the districts. The feeding system significantly varied with agroecology. Zero grazing system with stall-feeding technique is common in the highland agroecology. However, in the lowland agroecology free grazing on communal grazing area and feeding crop residue are common. Factors like inadequate extension service, lack of planting material and land scarcity has resulted in reduction of farmers’ interest to integrate fodder trees and shrubs into their farming system.