CHARACTERIZATION OF FARMING AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS, PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS AND NEED IDENTIFICATION IN DEBUB ARI AND BENATSEMAY DISTRICTS OF SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

The study was conducted in two districts of South Omo zone namely, Benatsemay and Debub ri districts. The study was implemented through a multidisciplinary team of livestock researchers, which comprising of socio-economist, veterinarians, animal breeders and development workers. The objectives of the survey were: to describe the nature of the livestock farming system and production practices; analyze and priories the major constraints that hinder the development of livestock production; identify the opportunities and constraints of livestock production in the study area; collect the socio-economic characteristics and to use the information as a baseline data for future intervention. Data were collected by semi-structured interview, focus group discussion and secondary data was collected from different sources. Livestock has a multifunction in the study areas and helping as a source of draft power, income generation, and milk and meat production. Although there are accesses to vast fertile land for feed and forage development, huge livestock number and presence of enough family labour force in the areas, there are several constraints in livestock husbandry such as shortage of grazing land/feed, disease, market problem, water problem, lack of technological supply. However, little attention has been given to identify and characterize these livestock production constraints in the districts. It is with this understanding that the present study was initiated and conducted..