A survey of the farming systems of Vertisol areas of the Ethiopian highlands

In 1986, ILCA carried out informal surveys at Dogollo and Inewari in order to understand the farming systems. Such surveys were also conducted by the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) at Ginchi in 1986 and by the Alemaya University of Agriculture at Ada/Debre Zeit in 1988/89. This was followed by one-time detailed formal farm surveys at Dogollo, Inewari and Ginchi in 1988/89. This chapter mostly presents the results of these formal surveys. The objectives of the surveys were to understand the existing farming systems in order to develop appropriate Vertisol technologies, to identify production constraints and opportunities for technological interventions, to identify recommendation domain, and to compile baseline data in order to assist in ex-post Vertisol - technology evaluation. Natural resources, farm resources, crop and livestock interaction, feed production and livestock feeding, constraints to production, livestock production constraints and researchable areas are examined

Technology validation and transfer

As farming in Ethiopia is heavily dependent on animal traction, technologies that are based on this power source were envisaged to be appropriate for better management of Vertisols. Hence, the Joint Vertisol Project (JVP) began research on improved Vertisol technology that included 1) the use of an animal-drawn broadbed maker (BBM) to facilitate surface drainage and 2) the use of appropriate seeds, fertiliser and early planting. The aim of the technology verification and transfer were to verify the economic viability and acceptability of the BBM/Vertisol technology package and to popularies the technology so as to encourage large-scale adoption. A comparison of economic returns from crop grown with Vertisol technology package and traditional methods in selected Ethiopian highlands

The use of single oxen for crop cultivation in Ethiopia

Reports experiences with on-farm trials to assess the use of single oxen for work on mixed smallholder farms in the central highlands of Ethiopia, with particular reference to draft power and agricultural production, design and testing of the single ox technique, and results obtained during the 1983 crop year and future prospects with respect to feed requirements and advantages of using the single ox

Issues on livestock technology Development on smallholder farms in Ethiopia

Discusses some methodological issues on livestock technology Development in Ethiopia, also stresses that livestock projects that appeared promising were abandoned after project funding ceased because of mainly the inappropriateness of many of the methods used in the design and execution of the projects. Argues that livestock technology Development and transfer have to follow a bottom-approach instead of top-down approach, and outlines farm-level contributions of livestock; indicates that livestock have output, input, asset and security, and investment functions on smal mixed farms

Lecture notes on the concept and practice of FSR to improve cattle milk and meat production in sub-Saharan Africa

This paper discusses particularly the approach that may need to be followed in cattle milk and meat research in a farming systems perspective. The key characteristics of on-farm research, an integral part of farming systems research, are summarised, and the stages of farming systems research related to cattle milk and meat research in a farming systems perspective are discussed with ref. to target area selection, description and diagnosis, as well as design, testing and evaluation

Food and feed production strategies for Vertisols in the Ethiopian highlands

Since 1986 the Joint Vertisol Project (JVP) which involved a number of national and international research and Development institutions in Ethiopia gave high priority to developing alternative management practices for increased and sustainable food and feed production in highland vertisols. The JVP chose the highland areas because Ethiopian smallholders are already using draught animal technology and the availability of large vertisol areas. Research led to the Development of a broadbed maker (BBM) by connecting two traditional of-drawn mareshas. With the use of BBM a ploughed land can be shaped in the form of broadbed and furrows (BBFs) to improve drainage of excess water from vertisols. Drained seed bed opens up opportunities for alternative cropping systems. These alternatives were conceptualised in hypothetical model. This paper presents the results of the cropping systems tested on few drained vertisols as envisaged in the same model

Potential of cow traction in the Ethiopian highlands farming system

This paper deals briefly with the potential of cow traction in the Ethiopian highlands farming systems with particular reference to energy requirements and feeding and strategies. Examines cow energy requirements for work, maintainance, milk production, and pregnancy; and effect of draft work on energy balance for work of draft F1 crossbred dairy cows fed natural pasture hay ad libitum

Research on crop and livestock intensification on small farm vertisols: ILCA's experience

In Ethiopia vertisols of the highlands are vast and underutilized. For increasing production on highland vertisol, a joint vertisol project undertook a range of integrated research activities. ILCA's research in this partnership project, the integrated research activities, the research approach, achievements and outlook are presented in this paper. The aim of the research are to intensify the crop-livestock integration on small farms; to increase and sustain food production; to increase farm income and social welfare; and to achieve sustained resource protection

Crop-livestock interactions and implications for animal traction research in the Ethiopian highlands

Crop and livestock subsystems in the Ethiopian highlands interact with each other in many wasy. The livestock subsystem has output, input, asset, and security and investment functions in the farming system. Animal traction and crop residues are the prominent binding elements of the crop and livestock subsectors. Expansion of cultivated area, better cropping pattern, labour savings, and contribution to increased yields are the important effects of animal traction on the crop subsector. There is a potential for the lviestock and the crop subsystems to further contribute to each other. Research areas to exploit this potential are suggested. Some constraints to technology transfer are also highlighted