PRODUCTION AND MARKETING SYSTEMS OF GOAT IN HAMER WOREDA, SOUTH OMO ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study was conducted in Hamer woreda with the objective of assessing production and marketing systems of goats. A multistage sampling procedure was employed to select study kebeles and households. A total of 149 households were included in the present study. Household survey, rapid market assessment, focus group discussion and observations were used to collect data. Most (98%) of the households were male headed and majority (91.2%) of the households couldn‘t read and write. The average family size was 7.03 and significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in family size among the three farming system (in pastoral, agro-pastoral and crop-livestock). The flock size and structure per household were significantly (P<0.001) different across the three livestock farming system. There was no hired labor involved in goat management practices in the study area. Natural grazing land was the only feed source in the study area. Households in the study areas kept their goats at night in wooden enclosure without wall and roof. CCPP was the main goat disease that ranked first. The number of breeding bucks was significantly higher (P<0.001) in pastoral areas compared to agro-pastoral and crop-livestock producers. The overall average weaning age, the overall average age of first mating of female goats , the overall average age of first kidding and the overall average kidding interval was 3.59, 6.9, 11.99, and 7.77 months, respectively. The overall average litter size was 1.09. The average kidding interval was significantly lower (P<0.001) in crop-livestock farming system compared to pastoral and agro-pastoral farming systems. There was no significance (P>0.05) difference among the three farming systems on the average age of first kidding and litter size. The overall average milk yield was 0.20 litters. Significantly (P<0.001) lower milk yield was observed in pastoral livestock farming system. There were three primary market centers in pastoral and agropastoral areas whereas no market center in crop-livestock farming. Agro-pastoral and xiv pastoral producers were the only suppliers of goats to the primary market centers. Seven market channels were identified starting from village marketing points to central processors. There was high significant (P<0.001) difference between wet and dry seasons on supply and price of goats. Festivity had a significant (P<0.001) effect on supply and price of goats. Price seasonality and Cultural issues were the main constraint of goat marketing in agro-pastoral and pastoral areas, respectively. Whereas lack of market center was the main market constraint in crop-livestock system. Increased demand for goats at the market center was the main opportunity which was ranked first by households in pastoral and agro-pastoral farming systems whereas availability of feed and water resources were ranked first by households in crop-livestock. Drought was the main constraint of goat production in pastoral and agropastoral areas whereas disease was the main constraint in crop-livestock farming. In general the husbandry practices, productivity of goats and marketing system were poor. Thus, an intervention has to be done so as to improve the productivity and marketing system of goats in the study area.