Evaluation of Commercial Animal Feed Quality and Manufacturing Status in Ethiopia

Animal production in Ethiopia is hindered by numerous constraints such as traditional subsistence production practice, Low producing genotypes and poor marketing linkages, poor economic status of farmers, poor nutrition and management amongst others. This study was undertaken in four regions of the country namely Oromia, Amhara, Tigray, South Nations, Nationalities and Peoples in selected towns and Addis Ababa city administration to assess compound feeds sector and evaluate the quality of compound feeds in Ethiopia. A total of 34 feed producers were surveyed, to provide an overview of the sector, while chemical analysis was used to assess the quality of 64 compound feeds which are categorized in to three (layer, milking cow, and beef feeds). Qualitative and quantitative survey methodology by using a structured questionnaire vs qualitative data was used for collection data. The feed samples were analyzed for chemical contents Dry Matter, Crude Protein, Crude Fiber, Moisture, Metabolisable Energy and Fat at Animal Products, Veterinary Drug and Feed quality Assessment Center laboratory. Compound feed production is dominated by poultry feed products (61%), while 27.2%, 8.4%, 3.2% are dairy, fattening and others respectively. Most of the feed companies operate below their installed capacity. Raw materials are sourced locally, and maize makes up around 39.5% of total tonnage from the companies ingredient. The Dry Matter content ranges between 88.28%-91.87%, 89.21%-91.99% and 89.61%-91.31% for lactating dairy cow, beef and layer poultry respectively. The Crude Protein content ranges between 10.91%-17.90%, 10.27-16.34% and 11.39-18.57% for layer beef and lactating dairy cow respectively. The metabolic energy value ranged between 1364-2746 Kcal/kg, 1092-2890 kcal/kg and 1703-2880 kcal/kg for layer, beef and lactating dairy cow respectively. Productions of Compound animal feed in Ethiopia have many challenges both by internal and external factors of the industry. So to produce quality feed more concern is necessary from government and feed industry owners.