Crop-Livestock Farming Systems Varying with Different Altitudes in Southern Ethiopia
Journal Title: STAR Journal - Year 2012, Vol 1, Issue 4
Abstract
In Sub-Saharan Africa, rangeland is increasingly converted to cropland, creating diverse crop-livestock practices in different environments. As these practices lead to highly adapted livestock production systems using resources that vary locally and seasonally, not much is known about their similarities and differences. We assessed different crop-livestock systems through 60 semistructured interviews in lowlands (<1700 m.a.s.l), mid-altitude ranges (~2000 masl), and highlands (>2400 m.a.s.l) around the Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Average livestock numbers per household were higher in lowlands (43) and highlands (18), where access to communal grazing lands was possible. Cattle dominated at all sites, draught oxen numbers increased with available cropping land per household. All sites used crop residues as supplemental feed. Dung was used as manure in most households, as fuel is used only in higher regions. Our study showed that crop-livestock practices and livestock numbers can be explained by altitude but also by the availability of private and communally used land. Further practices should include growing fodder legumes, crop rotations, and intercropping, which might support a reduced-tillage system and reduce numbers of environmentally costly draught oxen.
Authors and Affiliations
Nina Österle| Agroecology in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 13, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany, Ayana Angassa| School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, Post Box No: 05, Ethiopia, Assefa Tadesse| School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, Post Box No: 05, Ethiopia, Abule Ebro| Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Centre, Ziway, Post Box No: 35, Ethiopia, Joachim Sauerborn| Agroecology in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 13, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany, Anna C. Treydte| Agroecology in the Tropics and Subtropics, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 13, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Keywords
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- EP ID EP9488
- DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.4314%2Fstar.v1i4.98807
- Views 388
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