Livestock Production System and Their Constraints in West Arsi Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

A livestock production system is a group of farm operations with approximately the same characteristics of climatic conditions and farming practices. Farm type identification helps to identify area specific problems and give proper technological intervention to address the problems. Therefore, this study was initiated to identify the livestock production systems and their constraints in West Arsi Zone. Both Primary and secondary data collection method was used to collect data. Secondary data was collected from Zone and concerned district offices using checklists. In addition to this, published and unpublished materials are also used as sources of secondary data. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select representative districts, kebeles and sample households. Focus group discussion (FGD), key informant interview and household direct interviews by using semi-structured questionnaires are used to collect primary data. A total of 264 sample households are selected to collect primary data. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the collected data using STATA version 14. The study result identified livestock production system was classified mixed rainfall sufficient (MRS) which cattle, equine and sheep production system dominantly practiced and mixed rainfall deficit (MRD) which goat, beekeeping and backyard poultry production system majorly practiced. The major livestock production constraints like lack of access to credit services, shortage of improved breed, lack of livestock technologies, shortage of feed, disease, and climate change were identified and the possible policy implications were suggested to address the problems.