The Role of Gender in Livestock Production in Gurage Zone, Edga District, SNNPRS, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted in Edga District of Guraghe zone, Southern Nations Nationalities and People Regional State, Ethiopia with the objective of to assess the role of gender in livestock production and to identify the constraint and opportunity of gender in livestock production. Two kebeles (Kokera and Ketane) were randomly selected to collect data.  The small holder livestock production system considered in the study area was mixed (crop-livestock farming). Livestock’s are significance maintaining the livelihood of those keepers by providing food (50%) next to it draught power, manure, income, social and cultural identify and medium of exchange and means of saving also having a big role. There is a distinct, but not very strict gender division of work in the production of livestock. Men usually are a key player (82.5%) in the activities of herding breeding, marketing of animal. Medication, barn construction, and principal decision maker for the overall generated income also perform by men. However, women generally contributed make labor input in area of feeding, caring calves, and cleaning barns and sell of milk and its product. Children of both sex participate in the activity or herding, feeding, watering, collecting of feed and egg dominantly. The good spirit of male and female  in livestock production, extension service and reward are the main opportunity which enhance the role of gender with the limited credit & over leaded females or women’s by household activity are the constraints which influences the gender division work  in livestock production. Enabling policy should be formulated for gender empowerment, gender main streaming and ultimately for the sustainable development of livestock sector.