Communal Grazing Lands Research Articles

Exclosure land management for restoration of herbaceous species in degraded communal grazing lands in Southern Tigray

ABSTRACT Herbaceous species contribute to the largest proportion of the fodder. Despite the profound benefits obtained, anthropogenic disturbances are hindering its development. On the other hand, to ensure the sustainability of herbaceous species, communities and governments have been putting efforts in managing herbaceous species through the establishment of area exclosure (AE). Thus, the main importance of this research paper is to provide information about the role of AE on the restoration of herbaceous species. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of restoration on the herbaceous species following AE established on communal grazing land (CGL). A total of 124 and 73 quadrats of 1×1m2 size were laid down at 50 m intervals along parallel transects at AE and CGL, respectively, and data were analyzed by t-test unequal variances using R-software. AE displayed higher plant species richness and diversity than the CGL and showed a significant difference (p<0.001). Similarly, the AE had significantly (p< 0.001) higher forage biomass than the CGL. In general, herbaceous species diversity index and species richness were significantly (p< 0.001) higher in the AE compared to the CGL. The study concluded that effective AE has the potential to enhance the restoration of herbaceous species and hence forage productivity.

From fast-track implementation to livelihood deterioration: The dam-based Ribb Irrigation and Drainage Project in Northwest Ethiopia

The 21st century revival of large-scale water resources development projects makes it important to keep assessing their impacts – preferably from an interdisciplinary perspective – in order to not repeat past mistakes and explore whether they could improve livelihood conditions for rural communities. In this study, costs and benefits of the World Bank-funded Ribb Irrigation and Drainage Project (RIDP) were investigated using a unique systems approach. The impact for farmers with different initial farming systems (rainfed – residual moisture – irrigated) was studied using field observations, document analyses, remote sensing, agronomic data and semi-structured interviews (n = 165). Data on project-induced changes to land and water availability, cropping patterns, farming systems and farm-level economics were collected. The results show that dam and dyke construction has reduced flooding, which has resulted in declining rice productivity (−42%) and concomitant shifts to lower value cropping systems. Results also reveal that the land redistribution has caused widespread livelihood deterioration as households had to give up 25% of their farmland and the communal grazing land was fully converted into farmland. Due to top-down implementation, nontransparent communication, delayed construction and lagging financial compensation, social resistance has appeared in the command area, impeding the construction works. In addition to these problems, if no rapid change to higher value crops can be realized, 20.5% of the farmers (those who already irrigate) will experience a loss of livelihood, 64.1% of the farmers (those with rainfed and residual moisture cultivation) will be on the verge of livelihood deterioration and only 13.5% of the farmers (those with solely rainfed cultivation) will enjoy RIDP-induced improved livelihoods. The fate of this project stresses the importance of investigating initial farming systems, exploring worthy project alternatives, improving participation, communication and benefit-sharing and strengthening the institutional capacity of implementing authorities.

Perception of communities when managing exclosures as common pool resources in northwestern Ethiopia

AbstractUnderstanding the different perceptions of the local community regarding the use and management of common pool resources, such as exclosures, could better support targeted interventions by government and development partners. Here, we report on a study conducted in the Gomit watershed, northwestern Ethiopia, using a survey and key informant interviews, to examine community perceptions on (a) the biophysical condition (i.e., challenge of land degradation and restoration), (b) the action situations (user's access to and control over resources and decision‐making processes involved in taking actions in managing the exclosure), (c) actors' interactions (formal and informal institutions involved in the management of exclosures), and (d) perceived outcomes (benefits and tradeoffs of managing exclosures). Many people in the Gomit watershed recognize land degradation as a serious problem and believe that exclosures support restoration of degraded landscapes and improve ecosystem services. Informal institutions play a key role in managing exclosures by improving benefit sharing and mobilizing the local community for collective action. However, some community members have concerns about recent expansion of exclosures because of (a) limited short‐term derived benefits, (b) reductions in fuelwood availability, (c) increased degradation of remaining communal grazing lands, and (d) poor participation of marginalized groups in decision making. Addressing such concerns through the promotion of short‐term benefits of exclosures and increasing community participation in decision‐making and benefit sharing is crucial. The study provides evidence to support government and development partners on the establishment and management of exclosures through identifying the benefits and drawbacks as perceived by different sectors of the community.

Exclosures improve degraded landscapes in the sub-humid Ethiopian Highlands: the Ferenj Wuha watershed

Land resources in developing countries are facing intense degradation due to deforestation and subsequent loss of organic matter from continuous tillage that causes soil erosion and gulley formation. The Ethiopian highlands are especially and severely affected. One of the land and water management practices to counteract this problem, fenced areas to prevent livestock access (called exclosures), has been in practice for the last few decades in the semi-arid highlands of Ethiopia but its effect on degraded landscapes has not been well researched -- especially in the sub-humid and humid highlands. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of exclosures on improving degraded landscapes in the sub-humid highlands. The research was carried out in the Ferenj Wuha watershed, in the northwestern sub-humid Ethiopian highlands, where land and water management practices were implemented starting in 2011. Vegetation was inventoried and aboveground biomass, carbon and nutrient stock determined for communal grazing land, exclosures and for other uses. In addition, soil samples were collected for nutrient analysis. Our results show that exclosures have a richer and more diverse set of plant species compared to communal grazing land. Establishment of an exclosure also enhanced organic carbon, total nitrogen and available phosphorus. Over a six-year period, aboveground biomass increased by 54 Mg ha−1 (or 81%) at the watershed scale because of the conversion of communal grazing land to exclosures. The improvement in soil nutrients due to exclosures, in turn, increased carbon and nutrient stock. The results support regeneration of degraded landscapes by restoring vegetation, soil fertility, carbon and nutrient stocks in the Northwestern highlands of Ethiopia. However, additional research is required to more accurately quantify these improvements because current research efforts that sample only the surface soils seem to indicate that the capacity of exclosures to increase soil carbon storage is decreasing when annual rainfall is increasing.

English

Important browses in selected districts were identified using goats’ preference and farmers’ knowledge. A total of 296 plots (20 × 20 m area) were placed along 16 transect lines randomly laid in plane and sloppy communal grazing lands to assess frequency of occurrences and density of the browse species. A total of 48 browse species out of which 31 were recognized by farmers were observed being browsed by goats. According to the goat owners, Balanites aegypetiaca was the most and Grewia bicolor was the least preferred, while the goats’ preferred Acacia tortilis as the most and Flueggea virosa as the least. In the plane area, the highest frequency of occurrence was seen for Rhus natalensis (62.4%) and Acacia mellifera (50.3%), while in the sloppy grazing area the most frequently occurring (43.9 to 54.4%) browses were Terminalia brownii, Harrisonia abyssinica, and Grewia bicolar. Density of Rhus natalensis appears to be higher both in plane (186 tree/ha) and sloppy (166 trees/ha) lands. The ranking of farmers and the goats’ preference appeared closely related. Therefore, further laboratory analysis should be conducted to verify the nutritional quality of the selected browses and urgent identification and conservation of potential browse trees and shrubs should be undertaken. Key words: Browse species, goats, grazing area, indigenous, shrubs.

Effects of different land use patterns on seasonal termite species diversity within the Vhembe district of the Limpopo province, South Africa

This study evaluated the effects of three different land use types: mango orchards, maize fields and communal grazing lands on termite species distribution in the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. The main objective was to identify the termite species found in the area and investigate the effect of land use on termite species. Termites were collected from six study sites using a standardized transect sampling protocol and baiting methods in a transect of 2 × 100 m during the dry and wet seasons. A total of 18 termite species from 2 families (Termitidae and Rhinotermitidae), 5 subfamilies (Macrotermitinae, Amitermitinae, Apicotermitinae, Nasutitermitinae and Cubitermitinae) and 11 genera (Allodontotermes, Ancistrotermes, Macrotermes, Microtermes, Odontotermes, Microcerotermes, Rhadinotermes, Trinervitermes, Psammotermes, Schedorhinotermes and Cubitermes) were recorded. A higher species diversity index was observed for the wet season. Communal grazing resulted in a higher Shannon diversity index (H′) of 2.23 and Simpson diversity index (1-D) of 0.84 followed by mango orchard (H′ = 1.41, 1-D = 0.68), while maize field recorded the lowest (H′ = 1.07, 1-D = 0.48). Macrotermitinae constituted 77% of the total number of species recorded across all the land use types. Edible termite species recorded are important in rural communities to supplement human protein requirements and they provide ecosystem services thus, there is a need for studies that quantify the trade-off between costs (crop damage) and benefits of maintaining termites in agricultural landscapes.

Production systems and breeding practices of Arab and Oromo goat keepers in northwestern Ethiopia: implications for community-based breeding programs.

We conducted a household survey in the semi-arid and sub-humid parts of Benishangul Gumuz region in northwestern Ethiopia to better understand and describe production systems and breeding practices of Arab and Oromo goat keepers. Multistage random sampling was employed to select peasant associations, while probability proportional to size sampling was used to select households. Data were collected from 249 households, out of which 86 were Arab and 163 were Oromo goat keepers that live in semi-arid and sub-humid agroecologies, respectively. Personal observations, focus group discussions, and structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS and results were presented using descriptive statistics and indices. Ninety-two percent of Arab and 86% of Oromo goat keepers indicated crop and livestock production as their main occupation. Goats were kept for a variety of purposes. Income generation, meat, and savings were the highest priorities. The average flock size owned by Arab goat keepers (12.5 ± 4.0) was significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that of Oromo goat keepers (9.9 ± 3.8). Breeding does constituted the largest average flock size followed by kids, young does, and young bucks. Body size, twining ability, coat color, and kid growth were considered important in selecting breeding does, while body size, growth rate, coat color, and libido were the most preferred traits for buck selection. Mating was predominantly uncontrolled mainly due to communal grazing lands. Castration of bucks was significantly (p < 0.01) more frequent in Arab goat keepers than in Oromo goat keepers. Arab goats have better reproductive performance than Oromo goats. On average, female goats in the study areas gave first births at the age of 1.2years, kidded every 7.5months, stayed on reproduction for about 7.6years, and produced 10.7 kids per lifetime. Compared with Arab goats, Oromo goats had significantly (p < 0.01) higher average age at first mating, age at first kidding, kidding interval, and reproductive lifetime but produced lower average number of kids per lifetime. Nucleus breeding schemes are recommended to optimize the limited available resources in the study areas. A single nucleus could serve both Arab and Oromo goat keepers. In conclusion, breeding programs implemented in the study areas should consider the production systems and breeding practices of Arab and Oromo goat keepers appropriately.

Herbaceous plant species diversity in communal agro-pastoral and conservation areas in western Serengeti, Tanzania

Agro-pastoralism involves the growing of crops and keeping of livestock as a livelihood strategy practiced by communities in rural areas in Africa and is highly dependent on environmental factors including rainfall, soil and vegetation. Agro-pastoral activities, e.g. livestock grazing and land clearing for crop cultivation, impact on environmental condition. This study evaluated the impacts of agro-pastoral activities on herbaceous plant species diversity and abundance in western Serengeti relative to conservation (protected) areas. A vegetation survey was conducted along the grazing gradients of ten 4 km transects from within village lands to protected areas. A total of 123 herbaceous species belonging to 20 families were identified. Higher herbaceous species diversity and richness were found in protected areas than in communal grazing lands. Similarly, the number of perennial herbaceous species was higher in the former than the latter, while occurrence of annuals was higher in the village areas. This observation indicates poor rangeland condition in village communal grazing lands as compared with protected areas. It is obvious that current agro-pastoral activities have contributed to a reduction in herbaceous species diversity in village lands in western Serengeti. However, the array of pasture species, especially desirable perennial species, still present in communal grazing areas, suggests that rejuvenation of these areas is possible. Resting of grazing land is recommended to reverse the trend towards diversity reduction and ensure future availability of feed resources for grazing animals in village lands.

Rehabilitation of indigenous browse plant species following exclosure established on communal grazing lands in South Tigray, Ethiopia, and implication for conservation

BackgroundDespite the wide use of indigenous browse plant species, there is almost no information on the rehabilitation of indigenous browse species following area exclosure (AE) established on communal grazing lands (CGL) in Southern Tigray. The objectives of this study were to assess the rehabilitation of browse plant species following AE establishment on CGL. A total of 61 and 59 plots of 10 × 10 m2 size were laid down at 50-m intervals along parallel line transects at AE and GCL, respectively. Data collected on vegetation attributes were subjected to analysis of t test (unequal variances) using R-software.ResultsThe Shannon diversity index of the browse plant species was 1.25 and 0.81 in AE and CGL, respectively (P < 0.001). The overall population structure of browse plant species in the AE shows a reverse J-shaped population curve and “good” regeneration status, which reveals that the future communities may be sustained. Leaf biomass and basal area of browse plant species were significantly higher in the AE than in CGL (P < 0.001). After exclusion of grazing, AE was found to have positive effects on diversity and aboveground biomass of browse plant species.ConclusionsThe study gives an understanding of the diversity, the pattern of population and regeneration of the browse plant species, which may help in the management and conservation of the species. Our results indicate that grazing exclusion is an effective management strategy to restore browse plant species. We concluded that the establishment of AE had a positive effect on the rehabilitation of browse plant species diversity and improved population structure and regeneration potentials of degraded grazing lands. Long-term monitoring and evaluation systems will be required to gain an informed understanding of the roles played by area exclosures in the rehabilitation and conservation of browse palnt species diversity.

Carbon sequestration potential of natural vegetation under grazing influence in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia: implication for climate change mitigation

The management influence on carbon sequestration potential of different land use types are least known at the national level. This research was conducted to assess the impact of area exclusion on carbon sequestration potential in the two land use systems: protected natural vegetation (PNV) and communal grazing land (CGL). Data of vegetation, litter, and soils were collected using systematic sampling methods, laying 19 transects and 62 quadrats each with 20 m × 20 m for trees, 5 m × 5 m sub-quadrats for shrubs, and 1 m × 1m sub-quadrats for herbs/grasses, litter biomass, and soil sample. Aboveground biomass carbon (AGC), belowground biomass carbon (BGC), soil organic carbon (SOC), and total carbon stock (TC) were estimated using allometric equations. The mean difference level of carbon stocks (P < 0.05) of the two land use systems was tested through unequal variance t-test using R-software. The mean above ground and below ground carbon stock of PNV, 21.05 ton/ha, 10.39 ton/ha, was higher than CGL, 15.31 ton/ha, 7.65 ton/ha, respectively. The average values of SOC was 16.60 ton/ha from PNV and 13.76 ton/ha from CGL. The mean value of SOC was higher at the PNV than CGL and significantly different (P < 0.05). The total carbon stock estimate of PNV and CGL were 50.74 ton/ha and 37.11 ton/ha, respectively, which is significantly different (P < 0.05). We concluded that, establishment of PNV as the best practice of restoration programs through exclusion of livestock from free grazing and human interference provides cost effective mechanism that yields a high carbon sequestration potential with multiple benefits for biodiversity conservation, livelihood support, and climate change mitigation.

Improving livelihoods of smallholder farmers through region specific strategies: a case study of South African sheep production

ABSTRACTThe paper investigates if two groups of smallholder sheep farmers who farm using communal grazing land in the N8 development corridor of South Africa can be treated in a homogenous manner. Heterogeneous production environments should result in different production responses, which are unique to the production region. A better understanding of these unique responses could guide the development of improved strategies to increase smallholder livestock production in South Africa. A stochastic production frontier approach was used to evaluate two production districts before grouping the data and estimating the metafrontier. The metafrontier represents a homogenous benchmark for all producers. Results indicate that the two districts cannot be treated the same. Therefore a single production function and strategy cannot be used to improve productivity and efficiency of livestock production in both the districts. The conclusion is that the development of strategies to increase smallholder sheep producers, productivity and efficiency requires an understanding of the production, environmental and institutional factors that the farmers experience within that particular district. Considering the study areas used in the paper, attention to the more technical aspects of production and management can improve the farmers' productivity and efficiency.

Production Systems and Breeding Practices of Arab and Oromo Goat Keepers in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Northwestern Ethiopia: Implications for the Development of Community-based Breeding Programs

To better understand and describe the production systems and breeding practices of Arab and Oromo goat keepers, we undertook a household survey in semi-arid and sub-humid parts of Benishangul Gumuz region, Northwestern Ethiopia. Multi-stage random and probability proportional to size sampling techniques were employed to select peasant associations and households, respectively.Data were collected from 249 goat keeping households (86 in semi-arid and 163 in sub-humid areas) through personal observations, focus group discussions and structured questionnaires, and analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics and indices were used to present the data. In both areas, goats were kept mainly to generate cash income followed by meat production and saving with overall indices of 0.40, 0.23 and 0.17, respectively. The average ± SD of flock sizes per households were 12.5 ± 4.0 in Arab goat keepers and 9.9 ± 3.8 in Oromo. The mean numbers of does, doe kids, bucks, kids and castrates were significantly higher in Arab goat keepers as compared to Oromo. Body size, twining ability and coat color were the most preferred attributes of both goat keepers in selecting breeding does while breeding bucks were selected based on their body conformation, growth and coat color. Mating was predominantly uncontrolled mainly due to communal grazing lands. Castration of bucks was significantly (p < 0.01) more frequent in Arab goat keepers than Oromo. The average age at first kidding, kidding interval, reproductive lifetime and number of kids born per lifetime of Arab does were 13.9 ± 1.7 months, 7.2 ± 1.8 months, 7.2 ± 2.0 years and 10.7 ± 2.5, respectively. The corresponding values for Oromo does were 14.9 ± 2.4 months, 7.8 ± 1.1 months, 7.9 ± 1.9 years and 9.7 ± 1.6. The difference between Arab and Oromo goat keepers in terms of production objectives, flock sizes, trait preferences and breeding practices should be carefully considered in the development of breed improvement programs in the study areas. Keywords: Arab goat, Breeding practice, Oromo goat, Production system, Traits DOI : 10.7176/ALST/73-03 Publication date : April 30 th 2019

The trade-offs of win\u2013win conservation rhetoric: exploring place meanings in community conservation on the Wild Coast, South Africa

In attempts to reconcile conservation and development for poverty alleviation by establishing protected areas, economic values of nature and compensation for loss of access to resources are often prioritized over cultural and personal values. Additionally, conservation interventions in local communities are often hindered by contested visions of sustainability. We explore the utility of place meanings to unpack diverse local interests by examining an intervention that proposed to establish a fenced protected area in a community on the Wild Coast, South Africa. We describe the narratives that argue for or against the project and how they make use of the place meanings attributed to parts of the landscape, including forest, communal grazing land and plantations. We then examine the coalitions behind narratives: groups of actors who share the meanings and constructs of the problem and who employ these for a particular strategy. This allows us to map the negotiation process, and understand how community dissent influences the project. We find that a focus on economic benefits from protected areas neglects alternative meanings, e.g. cultural and spiritual value of forests as well as potential alternative pathways for development such as investing in small-scale agriculture. Our analysis reveals the tension that exists in the ‘win–win’ discourse of conservation between the rhetoric of sustainable resource use and co-management as well as a trend back towards ‘fortress conservation’. A community counter-narrative is successful in stalling the project which illustrates the importance of considering the plurality of meanings for interventions to be sustainable in the long term.

Production Systems and Breeding Practices of Arab and Oromo Goat Keepers in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Northwestern Ethiopia: Implications for the Development of Community-based Breeding Programs

To better understand and describe the production systems and breeding practices of Arab and Oromo goat keepers, we undertook a household survey in semi-arid and sub-humid parts of Benishangul Gumuz region, Northwestern Ethiopia. Multi-stage random and probability proportional to size sampling techniques were employed to select peasant associations and households, respectively. Data were collected from 249 goat keeping households (86 in semi-arid and 163 in sub-humid areas) through personal observations, focus group discussions and structured questionnaires, and analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics and indices were used to present the data. In both areas, goats were kept mainly to generate cash income followed by meat production and saving with overall indices of 0.40, 0.23 and 0.17, respectively. The average ± SD of flock sizes per households were 12.5 ± 4.0 in Arab goat keepers and 9.9 ± 3.8 in Oromo. The mean numbers of does, doe kids, bucks, kids and castrates were significantly higher in Arab goat keepers as compared to Oromo. Body size, twining ability and coat color were the most preferred attributes of both goat keepers in selecting breeding does while breeding bucks were selected based on their body conformation, growth and coat color. Mating was predominantly uncontrolled mainly due to communal grazing lands. Castration of bucks was significantly (p < 0.01) more frequent in Arab goat keepers than Oromo. The average age at first kidding, kidding interval, reproductive lifetime and number of kids born per lifetime of Arab does were 13.9 ± 1.7 months, 7.2 ± 1.8 months, 7.2 ± 2.0 years and 10.7 ± 2.5, respectively. The corresponding values for Oromo does were 14.9 ± 2.4 months, 7.8 ± 1.1 months, 7.9 ± 1.9 years and 9.7 ± 1.6. The difference between Arab and Oromo goat keepers in terms of production objectives, flock sizes, trait preferences and breeding practices should be carefully considered in the development of breed improvement programs in the study areas. Keywords: Arab goat, Breeding practice, Oromo goat, Production system, Traits DOI : 10.7176/CEIS/10-4-03 Publication date :May 31 st 2019

Woody species diversity, population structure, and regeneration status in the Gra-Kahsu natural vegetation, southern Tigray of Ethiopia

The study was conducted at Gra-Kahsu protected natural vegetation (PNV) and communal grazing land (CGL), in order to evaluate the conservation impact level. The diversity of plant species, population structure of woody species, and regeneration status were analysed from 62 quadrats, each with 20 m × 20 m for trees and 5 m × 5 m for shrubs, using systematic sampling methods. A total of 64 vascular plant species belonging to 52 genera and 37 families from PNV and 43 plant species belonging to 34 genera and 25 families from CGL was identified. Shannon diversity index values of PNV and CGL were 2.29 and 1.84, respectively. The mean basal area of PNV and CGL were 8.29 and 5.32 m2/ha, respectively. Three community types from PNV and two from CGL were identified. The population structure of woody species based on diameter and height class distribution showed reflected reversed J-shape for PNV however, bell-shaped, and interrupted inverted J-shape for CGL. The regeneration status of PNV and CGL were considered as good (sapling > seedling > matures) and fair (mature > sapling > seedling), respectively. Therefore, the floristic analysis of these two adjacent land use systems located in similar landscape showed distinctive variation in floristic composition, diversity, and regeneration status, which could be taken as the best practice of restoration and rehabilitation programs like, area exclosure.

Pasture enclosures increase soil carbon dioxide flux rate in Semiarid Rangeland, Kenya

BackgroundPasture enclosures play an important role in rehabilitating the degraded soils and vegetation, and may also influence the emission of key greenhouse gasses (GHGs) from the soil. However, no study in East Africa and in Kenya has conducted direct measurements of GHG fluxes following the restoration of degraded communal grazing lands through the establishment of pasture enclosures. A field experiment was conducted in northwestern Kenya to measure the emission of CO2, CH4 and N2O from soil under two pasture restoration systems; grazing dominated enclosure (GDE) and contractual grazing enclosure (CGE), and in the adjacent open grazing rangeland (OGR) as control. Herbaceous vegetation cover, biomass production, and surface (0–10 cm) soil organic carbon (SOC) were also assessed to determine their relationship with the GHG flux rate.ResultsVegetation cover was higher enclosure systems and ranged from 20.7% in OGR to 40.2% in GDE while aboveground biomass increased from 72.0 kg DM ha−1 in OGR to 483.1 and 560.4 kg DM ha−1 in CGE and GDE respectively. The SOC concentration in GDE and CGE increased by an average of 27% relative to OGR and ranged between 4.4 g kg−1 and 6.6 g kg−1. The mean emission rates across the grazing systems were 18.6 μg N m−2 h−1, 50.1 μg C m−2 h−1 and 199.7 mg C m−2 h−1 for N2O, CH4, and CO2, respectively. Soil CO2 emission was considerably higher in GDE and CGE systems than in OGR (P < 0.001). However, non-significantly higher CH4 and N2O emissions were observed in GDE and CGE compared to OGR (P = 0.33 and 0.53 for CH4 and N2O, respectively). Soil moisture exhibited a significant positive relationship with CO2, CH4, and N2O, implying that it is the key factor influencing the flux rate of GHGs in the area.ConclusionsThe results demonstrated that the establishment of enclosures in tropical rangelands is a valuable intervention for improving pasture production and restoration of surface soil properties. However, a long-term study is required to evaluate the patterns in annual CO2, N2O, CH4 fluxes from soils and determine the ecosystem carbon balance across the pastoral landscape.

Small ruminant fattening practices in Amhara region, Ethiopia

BackgroundIn Ethiopia, small ruminant had a great role in the economic development for farmers or producers, food-insecure areas and one of the main sources of meat production. The study was conducted in five small ruminant potential zones of Amhara region from November to June, 2017, with the objective of assessing small ruminant fattening practices in Amhara region, Ethiopia. Twenty representative kebeles were selected purposively. From each of selected kebeles, 10 small ruminant fatteners were selected purposively based on their fattening experience. A total of 200 households were selected for interviewing. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version, 20.ResultsMajority of (47%) small ruminant fatteners can read and write. Mean and SD of family size per household was shown to be 5.22 ± 2.00. Mean and SD of private and communal grazing lands and total land for traction was 0.30 ± 0.60, 0.81 ± 1.81 and 1.84 ± 2.90, respectively. From the total of 100% respondents only 46.6% had there owen private grazing land this mean the remaining 53.4% were utilizing communal grazing land. Among the 46.6% of respondents only 74.5% were primarily grazed fattening animals. About 59% of respondents responded that the status of grazing land was decreased from the previous status, but the remaining 31.5 and 9.5% responded that there was no change and that it was increasing, respectively. Mean and SD of sheep and goat fattening per household was 2.86 ± 2.90 and 1.65 ± 4.67, respectively. Majority (71.5%) of producers preferred fattening sheep species to goat. In Amhara region, the purpose of small ruminant fattening was mainly income source (81.5%) and the remaining 12, 2, 1.5, 1, 1, and 1% were risk/benefit, meat, social or cultural function, sacrifices/rituals, saving and others, respectively. Natural pasture grazing and stubble grazing were the major feed sources in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Fatteners were provided with supplementary feeds for small ruminant fattening twice a day (36%), once in a day (31%) and whenever available (12%). Majority of respondents (77.6%) were not provided with supplementary feed scientifically recommended due to the low supply and high cost of concentrate feed in the market. The main water source was pipe water. The average distance of water from their home was less than one km, and watering frequency was twice a day.ConclusionsIn general, the present study showed that fatteners in the region did not fatten small ruminants scientifically recommended, because there were high cost of supplementary feed in the market and lack of enfaces on the development of small ruminant fattening in Amhara region. So, there should be given more enfaces by the government and researches should be done on alternative and non-conventional feeds with low price by considering the export standard of meat production.

Risk factors for emergence of exotic foot-and-mouth disease O/ME-SA/Ind-2001d on smallholder farms in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a significant endemic transboundary animal disease in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and throughout the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The disease has been shown to perpetuate the cycle of smallholder poverty through reduced animal production, plus limitations on market access for trading in livestock and their products. Despite significant national and multilateral efforts to control FMD over the past two decades, endemic FMD viruses (FMDVs) continue to circulate in Lao PDR. Further, the threat from new and emerging FMDVs is increasing as transboundary movements in the region intensify in response to increasing regional demand for meat. Although the economic impacts of FMD on smallholder farmers in Lao PDR are significant, studies investigating household-level risk factors for FMD are lacking. Following an outbreak of a novel FMDV (O/ME-SA/Ind2001d) in Lao PDR in 2015, a questionnaire and serological study were conducted in Naxaythong District to identify household-level risk factors associated with this outbreak, as well as endemic circulating viruses in the outbreak area. Data were analysed using a multivariable generalised estimating equation (GEE) model with a logit link function and associations were calculated as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI95%). After adjusting for other variables, the practice of quarantining new livestock for a minimum of two weeks prior to introduction to a herd was found to be a significant protective factor during the 2015 outbreak (OR 0.225, CI95% [0.06, 0.88], p-value 0.003). In addition, households owning one or more animals with titres to the non-structural proteins of FMDV, indicating prior infection, had 5.5 times the odds (CI95% [6.16, 49.11], p-value <0.001) of sharing communal grazing land with neighbouring villages. These findings indicate that implementing basic on-farm biosecurity and improved husbandry measures to minimise FMDV circulation at the household level are important and reinforce the need to enhance the education of smallholder farmers in infectious disease control.

English

The study was conducted in Misha Woreda, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia with aim of assessing the production and challenges of small ruminant animals. Data was collected via questionnaire, interview and group discussion. For the study, 4 Kebeles were taken randomly and from each kebele, 20 households were selected purposively based on the experience and involvement of small ruminant production. The result indicated that about 80% of the interviewed respondents were male headed while the remaining 20% were female headed. Among the sample respondents, about 12.5% of the respondents were illiterate and the rest 87.5% were learned at different stages of literacy ranging from elementary to high school grade levels. The prevailing sheep and goat production system common in the study area was mainly extensive (90%) with slight semi-intensive characteristics (10%). The main purposes of rearing sheep and goats in the study area were for home cash income (75%), for security (17.5%) and for slaughter during holidays (7.5%). The results further showed that the main feed source (42.5%) is communal grazing land, 22.5% house leftover and 20% crop residues in the study area. The extensive production system along with feed shortage needs improvement of husbandry practices. Shortage of feed and grazing land and lack of capital are the main problems that hamper the potential of sheep and goat production in the study area. It was concluded that different organizations like government and non-governmental should take these under consideration to improve the production of sheep and goats. Key words: Production, small ruminant, feed shortage, crop residues.

The Faxinal System: Forest fragmentation and soil degradation on the communal grazing land

The Brazilian faxinal is a traditional agrosilvopastoral system, which combines extensive grazing, subsistence cropping and low impact forest extraction, managed within a communal property system. Today it is at serious risk of disappearing due to increasing grazing pressure and logging activities that are leading to environmental problems such as forest fragmentation and soil degradation. The objectives of the study were to: a) evaluate soil physical degradation levels in different grazing areas within the faxinal system; and b) correlate soil degradation, fodder quantity and livestock dynamics in different pasture areas according to the household's location. Landscape mapping, vegetation surveys, and livestock grazing dynamics were assessed. In addition, soil physical parameters were evaluated for each land use (e.g., resistance, bulk density, porosity, moisture, and water infiltration rates). Results showed that livestock grazing and household locations are the main driving forces that lead to forest fragmentation. The household location creates three interrelated gradients in the communal grazing land: 1) soil physical degradation decreases from the pasture areas to araucaria forests; 2) fodder quantity decreases from pastures to araucaria forests; and 3) the livestock grazing intensity decreases from pastures to araucaria forests. In addition, some management practices to mitigate land degradation, including improvement of pastures, installation of removable troughs for drinking water in the upland areas and restriction of livestock from the riparian zone, have been proposed.