ASSESSMENT OF INDIGENOUS DAIRY COWS MILK AND BUTTER PRODUCTION AND MARKETING IN ALLE ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate milk and butter production performance of indigenous dairy cows and marketing practices in a specific location within the Alle Zone. The study area was divided into three sections based on agro-ecological factors: lowland, midland, and Highland. The study collected primary data from 138 households via semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussion and key informant interviews. One way analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. The study's findings revealed that the crop residue with atela followed by natural pasture was the substantial source of feed across agro-ecological zones for dairy animal. The average lactating cow holding was 2.54 ± 1.922 under the predominant mixed crop-livestock system. The average daily milk yield per cow in the highland, midland, and lowland was (0.66±0.923), (0.80±0.779), and (0.76±0.45) liters, respectively, with an overall average of (0.75±0.68) liters. The AFS and AFC of indigenous cows were found to be 43.12 and 49.14 months, respectively. The average amount of butter produced per week per household was (1.86±1.210) kg, with (0.542±0.452) kg (28.9%) consumed at home and (1.33±1.06) kg (71.01%) sold in the market. The average price of butter over the study period (October to December 2021) was 708.19 ETB per kg, with a minimum and maximum price of 300 ETB and 1000 ETB per kg, respectively. However, due to cultural beliefs, selling milk in the market was not a common practice in the study area. The main challenges for milk production and milk product marketing in the study area are a lack of access to artificial insemination (99.3%), Cost of medicinal service (89.9%), feed shortage (86.2%), and fasting season. In general, dairy production performance in the study area was poor, and the milk marketing system was underdeveloped due to a variety of constraints, including cultural taboos, technological and institutional constraints. As a result, the study suggests that in order to overcome the limits at various phases of dairy production and marketing, awareness should be raised and the necessary updated technology should be made available