The aim of the study was to assess the productive and reproductive performance of local dairy cows and constraints and opportunities of dairy production in selected districts of Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia. Multistage sampling technique were employed in three districts selected representing highland (Wenisho), midland (Dale) and lowland (Loka Abaya) from Sidama Zone. One hundred and thirty five households who owned local cows were purposively selected from three kebeles from each agro ecology (45 from each agro ecology). Data were collected using semi-structured formal questionnaires and focus group discussions. The overall mean for daily milk yield, lactation length, age at first service, age at first calving, calving interval and number of services per conception, were 1.51±0.08 liter/day, 8.21±0.99 months, 42.61±2.82 months, 52.30±2.73 months, 20.08±0.90 months and 2.44±0.73, respectively. The major constraints identified includes feed shortage, disease, lack of improved breed, water scarcity and market problem while increasing demand for milk and milk products from time to time, access for veterinary services, implementation of vaccination before the outbreak of the diseases, availability of different feed resources, and the infrastructure development in the area were the major opportunity for dairy production. The current study revealed that the productive and reproductive performance of local cows is poor and thus, strong extension and interventions from responsible agents are mandatory to overcome identified problems and enhance productivity of dairy sector to ensure effectiveness of smallholder farmers in the study area.

 

Key words: Agro ecology, local cows, productive performance, reproductive performance.