Abstract
Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa. An estimate indicates that the country is a home for about 54 million cattle, 25.5 million sheep and 24.06 million goats. Therefore, this study was conducted in three selected districts of Gambelia regional state with the objective to assess the production potentials and preservation methods of hide and skin. As a secondary product of the meat consumption, the supply of hides & skins depends on the demand for meat, the rearing, management and slaughtering of animals, with little response to change in price and demand for the products. Hides and skins could be obtained from fish, birds and reptiles as well as wild and domesticated animals. The sample size of the study was estimated to be 384 (128 from Gambella zuria, 128 from Godare and 128 from Lare) using the formula stated in Thrust field. The quantitative data was organized, summarized and encoded on excel sheet and analyzed with the help of Statistical Analysis System (SAS) 9.2 version 2008.Qualitative data derived from direct observations and key informants was examined and presented in form of discussions. In the study areas, for all the three species, the mean annual slaughter at household level ranges between 0.07,1.66 and 1.73 cattle, sheep and goat annually, respectively in the study area. Of the 384 respondents interviewed, (94.01%) used the preservation methods of ground air dry and 6.25% use salt preservation for hide and skin preservation, respectively. Generally, production potential and preservation methods variations were observed among the Hide and skin producers, which suggest that there is an opportunity for improvement through awareness creation.
Highlights
Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa (CSA, 2013)
As a secondary product of the meat consumption, the supply of hides & skins depends on the demand for meat, the rearing, management and slaughtering of animals, with little response to change in price and demand for the products (Arugna, 1995)
The three districts of the region called Gambella Zuria, Godare and Lare districts were purposively selected based on the ecology and potential of hide and skin production in the region. These districts were chosen as they are the major livestock producing and meat product user areas of the districts and slaughtering slabs and traders are found in these towns and the rural PA were selected randomly based on the accessibility and security
Summary
An estimate indicates that the country is a home for about 54 million cattle, 25.5 million sheep and 24.06 million goats (CSA, 2013). In 2024/25 the cattle, sheep and goat population in sedentary areas of Ethiopia are estimated to reach 75, 42.8 and 39.6 million heads, respectively (Leta & Melese, 2014). It is eminent that livestock products and by-products in the form of meat, milk, honey, eggs, cheese, and butter supply provide the needed animal protein that contributes to the improvement of the nutritional status of the people (CSA, 2011). As a secondary product of the meat consumption, the supply of hides & skins depends on the demand for meat, the rearing, management and slaughtering of animals, with little response to change in price and demand for the products (Arugna, 1995). The availability of hides and skins through slaughtering or death of livestock is of importance to the leather industry (FAO, 1998)
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