Sheep Fattening Practices in Fogera District, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.

Abstract

The study was conducted in Fogera district with the objectives to understand farmers’ sheep fattening practices, and to identify the opportunities and challenges of sheep fattening practices. The study area was stratified into three groups based on agro- ecology in Mizuwa watershed i.e., upper, medium and lowers with an average altitude of 2061, 1853 and 1794 m.a.s.l, respectively. Seven kebeles were selected purposively from these agro-ecologies. A total of 140 households (HHs) were selected randomly that is twenty from each kebeles. Each HHs was interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire. General issues related to sheep fattening practices, opportunities and challenges were obtained through group discussion with key informants. Data analyses were carried out using both SPSS software and index method. In the study area about 44.3% of the respondents were involved in sheep fattening practices.  The major available livestock feed resources identified in the study area were natural pasture 28.6%, crop residue 27.75%, stubble grazing 13%, hay 13.45%, fodder trees and improved forages 14% and agro industrial by products 3.2%. Majority (61 %) of the respondents used separated room in the family house for fattening sheep. More than 63% of the respondents used veterinary service. Three months of feeding of fattening sheep was reported by majority of HHs. The reported major constraints for sheep fattening practice in the study area in the order of importance were feed shortage, disease, land, breed, capital, house, market and water. As an opportunity, however, at present sheep population are at increasing rate and farmers are also looking for the availability of seasonal feed resource like grass pea residue, rice bran and other crop residues. Hence, detail studies on suitable sheep breed, chemical composition and digestibility of the major available supplement feeds are further required to plan a sustainable sheep fattening program at smallholder level.

Keywords: Agro ecology, Sheep fattening