Abstract:
This study was conducted to assess dairy cattle production practices, dairy product
processing and handling practices, and their constraints and opportunities in the Sheka and
Mirab Omo zones of south-west Ethiopia. Multi-stage purposive and random sampling
procedures were applied to this study. Three districts and twelve kebeles were sampled
purposefully and randomly, respectively. A total of 384 households were sampled randomly
and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. In addition, FGD, observation, and
secondary data referencing were conducted. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS version
25, and priority indices were calculated by MS-Excel (2010). A Chi-square test was applied
for qualitative variables, whereas quantitative variables were subjected to ANOVA by the
GLM procedure. Statistical differences were declared at P<0.05. The results showed that
major dairy cattle production system in the study areas was small scale mixed crop-livestock
(93.2%), in which 57% of the respondents did practice free grazing and tethered grazing
feeding. Natural pastures were used as primary feed resources, followed by crop residues,
cultivated forages, and non-conventional concentrates. However, a relatively higher
percentage of the respondents in Mirab Omo (10.9%) conserved feed than in Sheka (4.7%).
About 68.8% of the respondents housed their dairy cattle in a separately constructed house,
followed by the same house with family (20.8%), and an adjoining family house (10.4%).
About 79.4 and 20.6% of the respondents owned only indigenous and both indigenous and
cross-bred dairy cattle breeds, respectively. But their distribution did not differ between the
study areas. Majorities (75.3%) of the respondents had access to veterinary services. All
(100%) households were experienced in dairy products processing and handling, but higher
proportion (49.2%) of respondent process butter-cheese. Disease outbreaks and traditional
equipment were the primary challenges for dairy cattle production and dairy product
processing, respectively. However, the day-to-day increment of dairy product demands and
village market availability were the most important opportunities in the study areas.
Generally, dairy cattle production and their products processing and handling practices of
the study areas were not improved; but some promising results were obtained by traditional
methods and equipment. Hence, enhanced dairy cattle management and dairy product
processing techniques should be adopted through state and/or private collaboration
