Impacts of Soil Conservation Based Technological Interventions on Livestock Productivity in Ojoje Watershed of Doyogena District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was undertaken to evaluate impacts of soil conservation based technological options to smallholder farmers in Ojoje watershed of Kembata Tembaro zone, southern Ethiopia. Information were collected using baseline survey (March to May 2010) and impact assessment, conducted after five years of technological interventions (March to May 2016). 180 participants from three villages were selected using purposive sampling technique to include experienced, youth and women livestock owners. Structured questionnaires were administered to collect information from the selected households. Descriptive statistics and paired samples t-test were used to analyze the data. Livestock number increased (P < 0.01) after intervention per household due to feed and forage interventions. On average, milk yield increased by 0.4 liters/cow/day after interventions due to improved forages production and management practices. Age at first mating local & crossbred cows, and ewes showed significant (P < 0.01) differences after technological interventions. Age at first parturition of crossbred cows and local ewes was significantly (P < 0.01) lower after interventions. The results indicated that demand-driven technology dissemination and participatory evaluation resulted in profound improvements in soil stabilization and fertility status, and an associated increase in productivity of food and forage crops. Additionally, the results clearly indicated that technologies with multiple impacts in terms of welfare of the farmers and sustaining natural resources are essential to re-vitalize crop-livestock mixed production systems.

Keywords: Livestock productivity; technology intervention, soil conservation