ABIOT GARO DUMO2026-03-062020https://etd.hu.edu.et/handle/123456789/1138This 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.en-USagro ecologymilkreproductive performancesheep production systemThesis