African Journal of
Agricultural Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Agric. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1991-637X
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJAR
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 6837

Article in Press

Cattle feed resource, Water sources and Housing system in the East Shoa and West Arsi Zones of Oromia, Ethiopia

Aman Gudeto, Sandip Banerjee, Tadele Mirkena, Tesfaye Alemu Tucho

  •  Received: 04 January 2021
  •  Accepted: 16 March 2021
The study was conducted in Adami Tulu Jidokombolcha (ATJK), Bora, Dodola, Shala and Negele-Arsi districts with objective to assess main cattle feed resources, water sources and housing systems. A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct survey. About 240 respondents were identified using random sampling techniques. Collected data was analyzed by SPSS statistical software version 24. Study result indicates that household in average had three hectares of land and allocated about two hectares of land for crop cultivation. Most respondents reported that cattle herding is not common during dry season while it is common during wet season. Survey result indicate that natural pasture, weed and maize tiller and stored crop residues are main feed resources in wet season while crop after math, crop residue and fodder trees are main resources during dry season. Brackish, local mineral and common salt are mineral sources for cattle in study areas. Lake, river and boreholes are important water sources in dry season where as ponds and rivers are main water sources during wet season for their cattle. The observed cattle watering frequency is mainly once a day. Housing system practiced in the study areas is mainly Kraal. The information generated from this study on land size per household, cattle herding system, feed resources, mineral sources, water sources, water utilization and housing type can be used as a baseline for any livestock development programs in those and similar areas.

Keywords: Cattle water sources, Feed resources, Cattle housing system