Dairy Production System, Constraints and Opportunities in Ethiopia

Abstract

The literature review was conducted with the aim of compiling dairy cattle production system, main constraints and opportunities in Ethiopia. Based on their locations, there are three milk production systems; namely rural, peri-urban and urban milk production systems. Ethiopia has potential for dairy cattle production. Though Ethiopia has large dairy cattle population and favorable climatic conditions, self-sufficiency in milk production is low. The main constraints that affect milk production capacity of dairy cattle in Ethiopia includes feed shortage in terms of quality and quantity, land shortage for farming of improved forage, insufficient veterinary services, diseases, absence of improved breed, poor artificial insemination service, poor management of animals and  lack of market-oriented production. So that, it is very important to introduce improved forage, increase AI utilization efficiency, and improve management practices and veterinary services. The finding of different authors conducted in different parts of the country indicated that the existence of large population of milk cows and diverse dairy animal’s genetic resources, fast growing population, change in living standard and income growth of people, rabid urbanization, growing demand and indigenous knowledge in the preservation of milk and milk products, availability of trained manpower, existence of research institutions and technologies, existence of service providers such as veterinary health and artificial insemination centers, development of infrastructural sector like road access, water supply, communication activities were the key opportunities to dairy production. Generally, even though dairy sector constrained by many factors there are still ample opportunities for dairying. Therefore; coordinated activities must be done by respective bodies to minimize the identified constraints which hamper dairy development.

Keywords: Constraints, Dairy cattle, Ethiopia, Production system.

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-10-03

Publication date:May 31^st 2021