SHEEP FATTENING AND MARKETING SYSTEMS IN ANGOLLELANA TERA DISTRICT, NORTH SHEWA ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study was conducted in Angolelanatera district Northshewa Zone, with the objectives of assessing sheep fattening and marketing systems evaluate the economic benefit of on farm sheep fattening . Out of the total of 21 Kebeles in the district 4 Kebeles (Cheki, Seriti, Chefanen and Qitalegn) was selected purposively based on their sheep fattening Practice. In this study, a total of 120 households were interviewed both primary and secondary data were collected about sheep fattening and marketing system by using semi-structured questionnaire The data was analysed by using statistical package for social science (SPSS version. 24) software and micro soft excel program. Data were arranged, summarized and analysed by using simple descriptive statistics like percentage, mean and frequencies and presented by using tables. The general husbandry issues such as, major feed resources, management practice, major constraints and marketing system were assessed. The most fattening system were traditional, This was due to most of households are less informed and they have no awareness on modern fattening system and marketing in representative kebeles. Profitability of sheep fattening in the study area 4977.93 , number of fattened sheep in the last one year 4.5 ,total selling price of all sheep (birr) 20693.5,estimated buying price of fattening sheep per hh(birr)10470.17 ,amount of purchased feed used per all sheep (kuntal) 155kg , cost of purchased feed consumed by all sheep (birr) 2219.85 , total estimated cost of other roughage feed consumed by all sheep (birr)2407.26 ,cost of medicament used for all sheep birr (618.29 ),total estimated expenditure of sheep fattening per HH (birr)15717.12 , estimated profit of sheep fattening per HH(birr) 4977.93 in the study area sheep fattening activities more profit at all of per fattening period. The study area was used to fattened a few sheep based on available inputs targeting sales during festive holidays, New Year’s. This is based on limited scientific and technical knowhow in feeding systems and husbandry practices. Generally, in the study area the sheep fatteners were lead traditional sheep fattening practice and they use different activities to increase their profile by utilizing locally available feed resources especially local brewaring residue (atela), crop residue, hay and a little bit concentrated supplementary feed and irrigated green feed to use. The marketing system of sheep was predominantly local market place characterized as producer consumer and followed by producer, local trader consumer in some area. As farmers should practice supplementation of available feed xvii and production of green feed even if the distribution of the land is too small. Sheep producers should have no access to market information, so as to adjust their marketing activities.