CURRENT STATUS OF IMPROVED FORAGE PRODUCTION DESSIMINATION, ADOPTION ,AND NUTRITIVE VALUE IN DAMOT GALE DISTRICT, WOLAITA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA M.Sc. THESIS

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the improved forage crop production adoption dissemination and farmer’s practices in high land and low lands of Damot gale District, Wolaita zone of Southern Nation Nationalities Peoples Regional State of Ethiopia. The study involved both field observation and household survey with a sample of 133 improved forage producing households; of which 69 were selected from the highlands and 64 from the lowland Agro-ecologies by using simple random sampling technique. The discussants were administered with semi-structured questionnaire on land and livestock holding, purpose of livestock production and improve forages adoption over years. Samples of improved forages were taken for analysis of chemical composition by following standard laboratory procedures. Descriptive statistics using SPSS version 20 was used to analyze the sample data and Chi-square and T- test were used to compare important parameters between the two agro-ecologies. The survey result indicated that, on average the family size of the households was 8 for high land and 7 for lowland. Average land size in the high land was 0.81±0.09ha and that of the low land was 1±0.09ha. The Overall cattle holding in the highland was 3.05± while the low land was 2.74±0.4. Purposes of cattle keeping were for milk sale, milk and meat for home consumption, financial security and income sources. The major improved forages available in the study area desho grass elephant grass Guatemala grass Rhoades pigeon pea and Sesbania were available. The majority of the interviewed households practice crop land and produce cultivated improved forages such as elephant grass, desho grass and Guatemala grass. Among improved forages, the highest CP content (34.02%) CP was obtained for Sesbania whereas the lowest CP (11.46%) was obtained from Elephant grass and also Sesbania had the highest (P<0.05) IVDMD Farmers produce improved forages which have better nutritive values such desho grass, pigeon pea, oat, Rhodes grass, Sesbania, elephant grass, and Desmodium. Lack of sufficient land along with poor forage seed supply and high seasonal fluctuation of rain fall are among factors influencing forage seed production. Although it is to a very little, farmers started adopting different coping mechanisms such as purchasing improved forages, use of crop residues, conservation of feed available during wet season and area enclosures. Smallholder farmers would produce improved forages following recommended forage development strategies at back yard, inter cropping food or fodder crops stock exclusion areas and alley cropping in both wet and dry seasons and agro ecologies to mitigate climate change risks and improve livestock productivity which in turn contributes for household food security.