Dairy Cattle Production System in Central Zone of Tigray: in The Case of Aksum and Adwa

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the management practices of dairy cattle production in Central Zone of Tigray. A total of 160 dairy cattle holding households were selected by systematic random sampling technique. The study employed multiple methods of data analysis including descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, T-test and qualitative analysis. Majority of the urban dairy farmers depend on hay, crop residues and concentrates for feeding their dairy cattle. Whereas, the peri-urban dairy farmers rely on dry and green roughages but less on concentrate feeds. In the urban areas, pipe water was the most common water source for the dairy cattle whereas, in the peri-urban areas, the use of river was very high. Significantly (P<0.05) better watering frequency was observed in urban than peri-urban areas. Access to veterinary services was significantly (P<0.05) better in urban areas than the peri-urban areas. About 44% of the peri-urban dairy farmers trek their dairy cattle more than 6km in searching veterinary services. Waste management was relatively problematic in urban areas (36.25%) as compared to the peri-urban areas (13.75%). There is also promising urban-peri-urban linkage in dairy product and by-product supply. Therefore, an appropriate feeding, watering, health management, housing and manure utilization could be the management options to improve the existing problems.