Assessment of Major Livestock Feed Resources and Constraints in Guji Zone, Southern Oromia

Abstract

The study was conducted with objective of assessing and rank the major livestock feed resources and its constraints in Guji Zone, Southern Oromia. Data was collected by group discussions and structured questionnaire in six districts. Data was collected from both secondary and primary data. A total of two hundred eighty eight (288) respondents were randomly selected and interviewed from districts based upon pre-tested structured questionnaire. Native pastures, crop residues, grazing of crop stubbles and browse trees were the major feed resources in the study area. Natural pasture and crop residues were produced in large amounts in the study area. The main cause of grazing land deterioration was drought 69.1% lowland, over grazing 58.2% highland and bush encroachment 21.9%. The major traditional range land management practice of the study area was conservation enclosure (kalo). The main source income of stakeholders depends upon sale of livestock and livestock product, and sale of crop. In the lowland area livestock cover long distance (>6 km) to reach water compared to the mid and highland parts. Further research and development work should be encouraged to improve dry season feed scarcity through different options such as utilization of non-convention feeds, forages development program, use of alternative means of crop residue utilization and adaptation, demonstration of improved forage varieties. Keywords: Assessment; Communal; Enclosure; Feed; Native pasture; Stubbles DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/92-02 Publication date: October 31 st 2023