Abstract
The study was conducted in four kebele of Fentale districts of Pastoral and Agro-pastoral Area to map out small ruminant value chain actors and their roles, identify the major constraints and suggest the specific areas of intervention for better performance of small ruminant value chain. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources a total of 98 producers, 12 traders, 20 consumers and 4 exporters were interviewed with separate semi-structured questionnaires. The result of study indicated that small ruminant made by far the greatest contribution to livestock-based livelihoods in study districts. About 98% of pastoralist offers small ruminant for sale to meet their crucial needs at any time during the year. The result of this study revealed that even if small ruminants supplied to the markets by pastoralist more or less meet the quality attributes required by export markets still the majority of producers (72.4%) backyard production type, followed by small scale (23.5%), medium scale (2%) and commercial scale (2%) respectively. Appropriate extension service that will respond to the peculiar needs of export markets, especially on the aspect of providing information and knowledge on the desired small ruminant characteristics and quality requirements of importing countries should be provided for the producers.
Highlights
IntroductionLivestock production systems in Ethiopia are generally subsistence oriented and productivity is very low [1]
The result of this study revealed that even if small ruminants supplied to the markets by pastoralist more or less meet the quality attributes required by export markets still the majority of producers (72.4%) backyard production type, followed by small scale (23.5%), medium scale (2%) and commercial scale (2%) respectively which needs future intervention (Table 1)
There are multiple actors that involved in small ruminant value chain with diverse roles
Summary
Livestock production systems in Ethiopia are generally subsistence oriented and productivity is very low [1]. The total livestock population in Ethiopia in 2012 was estimated at 54 million cattle, 25.5 million sheep and 24.1 million goats [2], Ethiopia’s annual exports of cattle and sheep meat were valued at USD 79.13 million in 2012 [3], while Botswana with a much lower stock number was able to reach USD 150 million export earnings from beef alone [4]. Sheep and goats are reared in almost all farming systems and agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia. In various areas of Ethiopia, sheep and goats play significant social and cultural functions including food security, poverty alleviation, ensuring gender equity, weed control and income generation. Ethiopia harbours huge and diverse small ruminant populations and this genetic diversity is a requisite for the present and future livelihoods of a large number of poor farmers [5]
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