Animal Production
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Item BEEKEEPING PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN DIFFERENT AGRO-ECOLOGIES OF SELECTED DISTRICTS OF SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2024) ABERA AGENSA ADAMOThe study was conducted in the Bilate and Gorche districts of Ethiopia's Sidama region with aim to assess beekeeping production, management practices, opportunities, and challenges across different agro-ecologies (highland, midland, and lowland). About 165 beekeepers from six peasant associations across the three agro-ecologies were purposefully selected. A combination of methods including structured and semi-structured questionnaires, key informant discussions, and honey yields data for three hive types (frame, top-bar/Ethio-ribrab transitional and traditional) were assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS 2022 software. The majorities (98.18%) of respondents in the study area were males and only 1.18% female house households participated in bee keeping production. Majorities (53.3%) of the households were literate and they were able to read and write while 9% were illiterate. The result showed that over 40% of beekeepers had extensive experience (>10 years), while about 28% were relatively new (<5 years). Traditional hives were the most common type owned by beekeepers. On average, respondent beekeepers hold 6.92 colonies, distributed as 3.92, 8.46, and 6.95 colonies per household in lowland, midland, and highland areas, respectively. Traditional hives: Average annual honey yield varied by agro-ecologies (5.56-5.85 kg/hive).Transitional hives (top-bar and Ethio-ribrab) Yields were higher than traditional hives across all agro-ecologies (8.86-12.55 kg/hive). Highest average yields were recorded in frame hives across all agro-ecologies (10.53 12.55 kg/hive). About 70% of beekeepers reported swarming was a common occurrence. Over 91% of beekeepers reported colony absconding, with drought and shortage of food identified as leading causes. The study showed that only 28% of beekeepers practiced honey straining. Birds and ants were the most frequently reported insect pests in the study areas. Three honeybee types were identified based on color and productivity. The majority of respondents (51.52%) did not undertake internal inspection of their bee colonies. The study showed that Vernonia Spp, Croton macrostachyus, Eucalyptus spp, Persea Americana, Coffee arabica and Cordia africana were some of the major honey bee plants identified by respondents in the study districts. The major challenges of beeping were agrochemical application (herbicides/pesticides), bee predators (ant and birds), lack of market access in villages and towns , and limited market information. The main opportunities of honey bee keeping development in the study areas were existing bee colonies, extension services, abundant floral resources and water for bees, employment opportunities, and Indigenous beekeeping knowledge. Frame, top-bar, and Ethio-ribrab hives showed high honey yield potential in mid- and lowland zones. The study suggests that beekeepers in mid- and lowland areas can benefit from adopting frame, top-bar, or Ethio-ribrab hives for increased honey production. Addressing the identified challenges and promoting existing opportunities can enhance beekeeping sustainability and improve honey production in the region. Governmental and NGOs intervention, on introducing appropriate beekeeping technologies with all accessories, strengthening the management practices through training for beekeepers is importantItem ASSESSMENT OF SHEEP PRODUCTION SYSTEM, REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND HABIT OF SHEEP MILK CONSUMPTION BY THE SOCIETY IN ALETA WONDO WOREDA, SIDAMA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2020) ABIOT GARO DUMOThis study was conducted in Aleta Wondo Woreda, Sidama Region to assess sheep production system, objectives of production, reproductive performance and habit of sheep milk consumption. For the study 158 households (HHs) owning at least one milking sheep were selected from Highland and Midland agro ecologies using systematic random sampling method and data were collected using structured questionnaire, key informant interview, field observation and secondary data. The family size was variable ranging from 2-4(44.9%), 5-8(50%) and above 9(5.1%). The mean total land holding was 0.88±.0534ha per with a difference between agro-ecologies. The average sheep flock size per HH was 3.02 ± 0.08 with a difference between agro-ecologies. Generating income, saving, meat and milk followed by manure and skin in their decreasing order of importance were main purposes of keeping sheep. Mixed crop- livestock production system was the dominant farming system in the area. Natural pasture, crop residues and crop aftermath, improved forage and enset and banana were feed resources available in the area. Mostly tethered system of feeding is practiced with no difference between agro ecologies. Above half of the respondents have no experiences of cultivating improved forages. Although feed types used for supplementation differs, all respondents were supplementing their sheep both in dry and wet seasons. Feed shortage in terms of quality and quantity throughout the year was one of the major problems of sheep production. Pond and deep well during dry season and river and pond during wet season were the main sources of water. Majority of the respondents in midland agro ecology suffer from shortage of water due to drying and pollution from coffee industries in dry season. Majority (58.2%) of the respondents house their sheep in main house with a difference between agro ecologies. Controlled mating was a common practice in both agro ecologies. All respondents in the area were selecting and culling sheep for production using different criteria. About 74.7% and 59.5% of the farmers were not castrating and fattening sheep respectively. For sheep, estimated average age at first service is 7.9±0.07months for male and 9.5±0.11months for female, age at first lambing 13.5±0.11month and lambing interval 8.04±0.06 month with a difference between agro ecologies. Most (76.4%) of the respondents in Highland area are consuming sheep milk whereas the inverse is true for Midland agro ecology with 90.7% due to unawareness. The constraints were land and feed shortage, disease and parasites, lack of improved breed, lack of extension service, water shortage and market price fluctuation. The major opportunities ranked by respondents were high market demand, increase of urbanization, and suitability of agro ecology and government attention for sheep production in decreasing order of their importance. Therefore, to use the available opportunities, the identified constraints should be solved in Aleta Wondo Woreda.