Determinants of the utilization of desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) by farmers in Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was conducted to document how smallholder farmers in Ethiopia utilize desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) and explain the determinants of alternative and competing uses of the grass. The study was conducted using a semistructured questionnaire for 240 farmers in the districts of Burie Zuria and Doyogena, complemented with input from key informants and secondary data. The dependent variables tested were the use of desho grass as a feed, multipurpose uses of the grass and types of livestock fed. To test the effect of the explanatory variables on the dependent variables, separate univariate Probit models were used. Although the majority of respondents can read and write, about 23% of respondents were illiterate. The average desho grass-producing farmer in the sample owned 0.95 ha of farmland and 3.56 tropical livestock units; average household size was 6.5 people with a household head who was typically male (91% of households). Eighty percent of respondents in Burie Zuria and all respondents in Doyogena district depended solely on rain for desho grass production. Fifty-eight percent in Burie Zuria and 65% in Doyogena district applied either manure or artificial fertilizer to the grass. Weeding of desho grass was not practiced by any respondents in either district. Sixty percent of farmers used desho grass as a feed and 35% used it for more than a single purpose. Forty-two percent of farmers who fed desho grass did so to only lactating cattle, 3% fed it to small ruminants and 53% fed it to all livestock species. There were significant negative correlations (P<0.01) between both experience in production of desho grass and access to training in its production and utilization, and its utilization as a feed. Seventy percent of farmers in Burie Zuria and 13% in Doyogena have received training in desho grass production. To expand the utilization of the grass to as many farmers as possible, further training should be provided. A multi-faceted approach would be needed for the 23% of illiterate farmers over the 2 districts.Keywords: Cut-and-carry, lactating animals, multipurpose, Probit models. ResumenEn el estudio se analiza la utilización del pasto desho (Pennisetum pedicellatum) por pequeños agricultores en Etiopía y se explican los factores que determinan sus usos alternativos. El trabajo se realizó con la colaboración de 240 agricultores de los distritos de Burie Zuria y Doyogena mediante un cuestionario semi-estructurado, complementado con aportes de informantes clave y datos secundarios. Las variables dependientes analizadas fueron: uso del pasto como forraje; usos multipropósito; y tipo de animales que lo utilizan. Para probar el efecto de las variables explicativas sobre las variables dependientes, se utilizaron modelos Probit univariados en forma separada. Aunque la mayoría de los encuestados sabía leer y escribir, alrededor del 23% de los encuestados eran analfabetos. En la muestra, el productor promedio del pasto desho poseía 0.95 ha de tierra y 3.56 cabezas de ganado (TLU, tropical livestock un...

Assessment on the management of draft horses in selected areas of Awi Zone, Ethiopia

“…It is noted that training on livestock husbandry is essential to livestock owners to increase production and productivity of their stock. This finding agrees with earlier reports of Asmare et al [11] for cultivated forage production and management in selected areas of Ethiopia. It is noted by Ampaire and Rothschild [38] that training on livestock husbandry is essential to livestock owners to increase production and productivity of their stock.…”

“…The age structure of household heads in both districts was similar in both sexes. The results of both districts were similar to the reports of Solomon et al [13]; Asmare et al [11] who reported the average age of respondents was 43.2 ± 1.0 years for Metekel Zone, north-western Ethiopia. The average family size of respondents in both districts in the present study was comparable with Asmare et al [11] but lower than districts (Mandura and Pawe) of Metekel zone of Benishangul-Gumuz region ranging 6.04-6.94 [14]; the reports by Tesfaye [15] with overall mean family size of 5.7 persons in Metemma district in Northwest Ethiopia and national average (5.20).…”

“…The maleheaded household characteristics of respondents in both districts were in agreement with Asmare et al [11] and Wolelie et al [12] for different parts of Ethiopia. The age structure of household heads in both districts was similar in both sexes.…”

“…This might be hindrance to respondents in practicing improved fodder production for horses and other livestock in the area. The size of landholding per household of both districts is lower than Asmare et al [11] for Burie-Zuria district in north-western Ethiopia, which was 1.4 ha per household. Moreover, the landholding status of both districts was lower than earlier reports and lower Yayeh et al [18] in which the landholding of 0.98 ha for Debre Marqos district, Amare [19] with a report of 1.14 ha in Fogera district both are in the same region.…”

“…The educational characteristics of horse owner respondents were almost to the reports of earlier reports in Ethiopia [11,12,16] for different districts of Ethiopia. This might be due to various factors such as access to education, awareness about the importance of education and other related factors.…”