CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES OF IMPROVED FORAGE PRODUCTION IN GEDEBANO GUTAZER WELENE WOREDA, GURAGE ZONE, S/N/N/P/R/S, ETHIOPI

Abstract

The study was conducted with the objectives of identifying the major constraints and opportunities of improved forages production in Gedebano Gutazer Wolene Woreda, Gurage Zone, and SNNP Region of Ethiopia. A total of 80 households) of which 20 households in four kebeles were selected randomly. Descriptive statistics, which using frequency, percentage, table and least significance difference were carried out. To find the result, both primary information via questionnaire, interview, observation and focus group discussion, and secondary data from relevant offices, published and unpublished sources were gathered using 80 statistically selected households. The result of the study indicated that the main forage species widely distributed in the study area were elephant grass, Desho grass, Tree lucern-, Sesbania, Oats, and Rodes grass with their decreasing order of availability, respectively. As reported by the respondents only a small area of land was allocated for forage development. Apart from utilizing for feed, farmers also use improved forage species for soil and water conservation (Desho grass), fencing and as a wind break (sesbania and Tree lucern. Land shortage (11.5%), free grazing (17.5%), input shortage (15%), poor extension service (25%), attitude (18.75%) and skill gap (12.5%) of the farmers were limiting factors for the production and utilization of improved forages. Moreover, forage seed/seedling production at farmers’ level/farmers cooperatives, community based implementation of free grazing policy and research and extension on the use of available marginal lands efficiently can be development interventions for the technology in the study area.