Studies to characterize goat production system and identify breeding practices and trait preferences of goat keepers were conducted in three districts (Sheko, Shey Bench and Meanit Shasha) of Bench Maji zone, southwestern Ethiopia. Semi-structured questionnaires and own-flock ranking experiments were employed for data collection. The results of the analyses revealed that the average goat flock size was 9.8±9.3. The flock structure constituted females (42.7%), intact males (19.0%), castrates (1.9%) and kids of both sex (36.5%). Goat production was rated highest for income and then as source of meat, with lowest rating as a means of saving. Most of respondents practiced selection for breeding does than bucks. Mating was predominantly uncontrolled. Twinning ability (I=0.29) for female and body size (I= 0.35) for male were the most highly rated traits at own flock ranking. The goat production system in Sheko and Shey Bench districts was characterized by mixed crop-livestock, while in Meanit Shasha, agro-pastoralism was dominant. Thus, the breeding objectives of the communities are to improve meat production and increase income through increased number of goat flocks.

The objectives of this study were to assess the hormonal response, conception rate, calving rate and perception of farmers towards the technology. From 220 cows and heifers brought by farmers for the services, 65% (143) that fulfilled the selection criteria were selected and injected with 2 ml of Cloprostenol. Data on the history of each heifers and cows, number of heifers and cows responsive to hormonal treatment, conception and calving rates were collected. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the finding showed that 91(63.64%) of cows and heifers were responsive to hormonal treatment. Majority 81(89.01%) of responding cows and heifers were inseminated. Finally, 11(13.58%) of calves were delivered. Oestrus response rate was relatively high, but conception rates and calving rates were very low. The lower percentages of conception rate which was observed in this study were associated with heat detection problems of farmers, distance from artificial insemination (AI) service centers, timing of insemination and poor husbandry practice of heifers and cows. To improve the effectiveness of the technology, there is a g reat need of skilled and experienced technician, and capacity building of farmers in heat detection and husbandry practices. Improvements in facilities and management should be necessary before implementing effective estrous synchronization and mass artificial insemination program.

The aim of the study was to identify and characterize the phenotype of goat genetic resources in the Bench Maji zone, south western Ethiopia. Focus group discussions, observation of physical attributes and morphology, and morphometrical measurements were employed for data collection. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, general linear model (GLM) and two-step cluster analysis were employed to analyse the data. The results of the analyses revealed that 90.7 percent of the female and 88.4 percent of the male goats have straight facial profile. Horns in the majority of females (85.7 percent) and males (73.4 percent) are straight with backward direction in 72.6 percent of females and 84.2 percent of males. In most cases the female goats lack ruffs (88.2 percent), wattles (73.8 percent) and beards (68.3 percent). Averaged quantitative traits of the female population were 56.97 ± 0.21 cm; 70.15 ± 0.27 cm, 60.08 ± 0.17 cm and 26.36 ± 0.21 kg for body length, chest girth, height at withers and body weight, respectively. The corresponding values of the male population were 60.81 ± 0.35 cm, 75.04 ± 0.50 cm, 64.47 ± 0.32 cm and 31.02 ± 0.50 kg, respectively. Goats from the different districts have shown significant (P < 0.01) differences in body length, height at withers and body weight of female and chest girth and body weight of males. 48 and 52 percent of the goat populations were distributed under two clusters indicating that the goat populations can be classified into two ecotypes (Meanit and Sheko). correspondientes, para la población de machos, fueron de 60,81 ± 0,35 cm, 75,04 ± 0,50 cm, 64,47 ± 0,32 cm y 31,02 ± 0,50 kg, respectivamente. Se han dado diferencias significativas (P < 0,01), entre cabras de distintos distritos, para la longitud corporal, la alzada a la cruz y el peso corporal de las hembras, y para la circunferencia torácica y el peso corporal de los machos. Las poblaciones caprinas quedaron agrupadas, en un 48 y 52 por ciento, en dos conglomerados, lo cual indica que las poblaciones caprinas pueden ser clasificadas de acuerdo con dos ecotipos (Meanit y Sheko).

The study was conducted to assess the fishery, challenges and opportunities in Denbi reservoir, Ethiopia. Interview, focus group discussion and personal observations were used to generate data. Response was solicited from households within the catchment area of the reservoir, key informants, elders, workers of the reservoir and fishery cooperative members. The data was analyzed by combining quantitative, qualitative methods and descriptive statistics. The result showed that there was one legally registered fishery cooperative organization. Majority (81.8%) of the cooperatives members organized were men with age ranging from 18 to 35 years. It was observed that there was division of labor among men and women cooperative members where men generally did capturing and women were involved in washing mesh, processing, transporting and selling of fish. Fishing in the reservoir was carried out each other day using non-motorized single boats. The post harvest activities undertaken by the fishermen included gutting and removal of offal from fish. The demand for the fish was neither affected by season nor religious affiliation due to the low supply of fish in the study area. Lack of fishing gear and motorized boat were the top two ranked constraints. Fish production and fishery system of Denbi reservoir was characterized by low inputs and low production resulting in an underutilization of the water resource. There should be emphasis on integrated management for effective utilization of the resources.

In this study, the beef cattle markets in Southwest Ethiopia are analyzed based on a survey of 172 producers. The first part emphasized the characterization and commercialization of the beef cattle market in the study area. The second part is dedicated to identifying the factors affecting households’ participation in the beef cattle market using the Heckman two-step selection model. In the findings, the beef cattle market is characterized by the dominance of few traders, asymmetric information, lack of contract enforcement, lack of transparency among market actors, and poorly developed market infrastructure. There is very low net commercial off-take rate of cattle for smallholder farmers in the study area. The result from the Heckman two-step selection model revealed that having positive stock of cattle, better access to extension service & feed, and a better level of literacy enhanced market participation and sales volume. On the contrary, market participation and sales volume were negatively affected by cattle keeper’s age, non-livestock income, and poor road and health infrastructure. The study suggested that improving the market and health infrastructure, providing capacity building for producers, and improving access to feed could enhance the intensity of smallholder beef cattle market participation.