Hatew, Bayissa

Jones, Christopher S.

Mekuriaw, Zeleke

CGSpace

CGIAR Research Initiative on Sustainable Animal ProductivityReport on training of trainers on ration formulation for dairy  cattle in EthiopiaBayissa Hatew1, Chris Jones2 and Zeleke Mekuriaw11. International Livestock Research Institute, Ethiopia2. International Livestock Research Institute, KenyaFebruary 2023©2023This publication is copyrighted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). It is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. To view this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0. Unless otherwise noted, you are free to share (copy and re-distribute the material in any medium or format), adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material) for any purpose, even commercially, under the following condition:ATTRIBUTION. The work must be attributed, but not in any way that suggests endorsement by ILRI or the author(s).NOTICE:For any reuse or distribution, the licence terms of this work must be made clear to others.Any of the above conditions can be waived if permission is obtained from the copyright holder. Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author’s moral rights.Fair dealing and other rights are in no way affected by the above.The parts used must not misrepresent the meaning of the publication.ILRI would appreciate being sent a copy of any materials in which text, photos etc. have been used.Editing, design and layout—ILRI Editorial and Publishing Services, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Cover photo: Participants at the training of trainers (ToT) on ration formulation for dairy cattle in Ethiopia.  24–27 October 2022, ILRI, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Credit: ILRI/Apollo Habtamu.Citation: Hatew, B., Jones, C. and Mekuriaw, Z. 2023. Report on training of trainers on ration formulation for dairy cattle in Ethiopia. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.iiiContentsAbbreviations and acronyms         ivAcknowledgements          1Executive summary          2Introduction           3Training proceedings          5 Objectives           5 Participants          5 Methods          5Summary           7Annexes           8 Annex 1. Program for training of trainers on ration formulation for dairy   cattle in Ethiopia                   8 Annex 2. List of participants        9ivAbbreviations and acronymsARARI   Amhara Region Agricultural Research InstituteACDI/VOCA  Agricultural Cooperative Development International/    Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative AssistanceEIAR   Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural ResearchFARP    Farm Animals Ration ProgramFCU   Farmers’ Cooperative UnionGTP   Growth and Transformation PlanILRI   International Livestock Research InstituteLSIL   Livestock Systems Innovation Lab MoA   Ministry of AgricultureOARI   Oromia Agricultural Research InstituteSARI   Southern Agricultural Research InstituteToT   Training of trainers1AcknowledgementsWe would like to thank all the stakeholders who contributed to the development of the software and helped in facilitating the training workshop. This training was conducted in collaboration with the University of Florida (UF) Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock System and the University of California Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The training workshop was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation under the EQUIP-Feed project and conducted as part of the CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Animal Productivity. CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future dedicated to transforming food, land and water systems in a climate crisis. Any opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed here are those of the authors alone.2Executive summaryFeed costs contribute more than 70% of the total cost of livestock production, and one of the biggest limitations to enhancing productivity is lack of knowledge on how to meet the nutrition requirements of dairy cattle using locally available feed resources. This is especially true in smallholder farming practices in Ethiopia. In addition, insufficient and low-quality feeds can increase the cows’ greenhouse gas emission intensity (emission per litre of milk). Even where relatively good feed is available in semi-intensive production conditions, rations are not properly formulated. Therefore, the animals are typically underfed, leading to considerable productivity gaps and significant losses of potential income. Consequently, ration formulation using appropriate and locally available feed resources can increase dairy cow productivity and farmers’ incomes, in addition to reducing the cows’ methane emission intensity and overall environmental impact. Thus, a ration formulation software called PCDAIRY_ET_Amh (ration formulation and evaluation software program for dairy cattle in Ethiopia in Amharic language) for formulating least cost and balanced rations based on locally available feed resources to enable accurate feeding of dairy cattle has been developed and shared by the University of California Davis as part of the EQUIP-Feed project. The software was developed in a local language (Amharic) but, when necessary, can easily be translated into other local languages to encourage its adoption and adapted to a local feed library inclusive of current prices and nutritional analysis. Training of Trainers (ToT) on the use of this software was conducted at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) campus in Addis Ababa from 24–27 October 2022. The workshop was attended by enthusiastic participants from government agencies, research institutes, the private sector, farmers’ cooperative unions and universities engaged in dairy cattle research, teaching and extension. The participants/trainees are expected to train many other key stakeholders to disseminate the training across Ethiopia.3IntroductionIncreasing the productivity of smallholder dairy farms is a high priority for the Ethiopian government as indicated in its Growth and Transformation Plan II (GTP-II)1 and, more specifically, in the Ethiopia Livestock Master Plan2. However, milk production still falls far short of potential due to inadequate quantity and/or quality of available feed resources. This is especially true in smallholder farming systems in Ethiopia. Even where relatively good feed is available in semi-intensive and intensive production conditions, rations are not properly formulated. Therefore, the animals are typically underfed, leading to considerable milk productivity gaps and significant losses of potential income.Ration formulation using appropriate and locally available feeds can increase dairy cow productivity and farmers’ incomes, in addition to reducing the cows’ methane emission intensity (emission per litre of milk) and overall environmental impact. This is why the PCDAIRY_ET_Amh (ration formulation and evaluation software program for dairy cattle in Ethiopia in Amharic language) was developed and shared. PCDAIRY_ET_Amh is part of another comprehensive software package called Global FARP (Farm Animal Ration Program), which covers other countries, languages and farm animals. For this training workshop, the software was made available in English and Amharic with an easy-to-use graphical user interface (see Figure 1). A local feed library was established in collaboration with the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA) and Hawassa University School of Animal and Range Sciences, who supported the collection and nutritional analyses of locally available feed resources.Figure 1. Homepage of the Global FARP software (English on the left and Amharic on the right).To view the site in Amharic, click on ‘Ethiopia’ then select ‘Amharic’. To select dairy cattle, click on the dairy cattle icon then on the ‘ኢሺ’ button.1.  Growth and Transformation Plan II (GTP II) (2015/2016 – 2019/2020), 2016. eth169444.pdf2. Ethiopia Livestock Master Plan, 2015. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/791534Main menu of the PCDAIRY programAs shown below in Figure 2, the main menu of the PCDAIRY program offers six choices:1. LC_G: least cost ration formulation for growing dairy cattle2. LC_B: least cost ration formulation for breeding dairy cattle3. EVAL_G: ration evaluation for growing dairy cattle4. EVAL_B: ration evaluation for breeding dairy cattle5. LIB: feed library editor6. TAG: feed tag program to calculate energy values of feedsFigure 2. Main menu of the PCDAIRY program (English on the left and Amharic on the right).The user can use the software to formulate a new ration for growing or lactating dairy cattle or evaluate an existing diet. It is possible to manage feed libraries using the feed library editor and to estimate the energy content of local feeds using the feed tag program. To evaluate or formulate a typical ration for a certain group of animals, the user enters the appropriate information in the following screens:1. Animal information screen2. Feed list screen3. Ration screen4. Nutrient constraints screen5. Feed constraints screen6. Feed group constraints screen7. Ration constraints screen8. Reports9. Feed library editor5Training proceedings Objectives The objectives of the ToT were to:• Train participants in the use of dairy cattle ration formulation software, thus building their knowledge and skills and enabling them to train others.• Provide information technology-enabled extension support to formulate climate-smart and least-cost rations for improving the productivity of dairy cattle; and• Demonstrate to participants how to evaluate rations and formulate least-cost balanced rations, thus enabling accurate feeding of livestock using locally available feed resources.ParticipantsThe ToT workshop was attended by 22 enthusiastic participants from government agencies, research institutes, the private sector, farmers’ cooperative unions and universities engaged in dairy cattle research, teaching and extension (see Annex 2). Specifically, individuals representing Hawassa, Haramaya and Bahir Dar universities; EIAR; Amhara, Oromia and Southern agricultural research institutes; the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA); the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI); Amhara Livestock Agency; private feed producers; and Wodera, Liban and Sidama Elito farmers’ cooperative unions received hands-on training. Project staff from ILRI (Bayissa Hatew – EQUIP project coordinator and Zeleke Mekuriaw – country coordinator for the Feed the Future Livestock Systems for Innovation Lab) organized and facilitated the training workshop.MethodsThe training workshop began with a welcome session, self-introduction of the participants and an explanation of the workshop objectives and training agenda. Afterwards, a discussion on the draft plans of the workshop training was done and the training sessions were conducted as follows:Day 1 1. General introduction to the PCDAIRY_ET_Amh software.2. How to download, install and run the software. The requirements to download and run the software were described clearly. PCDAIRY_ET_Amh software only runs on Windows computers; it does not work on Mac or Linux computers. It is supported by Windows 11 and earlier versions of the Windows operating system, such as Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows XP. Participants received a manual with detailed instructions on how to download, install and run the Global FARP software.3. Feed libraries There are three feed libraries:• A standard feed library with a capacity of 999 feeds.• An alternate feed library with a capacity of 999 feeds.• An unfeasible feed library with a capacity of 999 feeds.6Day 2Training on evaluation of feeds:1. Evaluation module: input screens.2. Evaluation module: output reports.Day 3Training on formulation least cost ration: 1. Formulation module: input screens.2. Formulation module: output reports.Day 41. Group exercises on ration evaluation and least cost ration formulation. To enrich the outcomes of the group work (see Picture 1), the results were presented and discussed in a plenary session. Participants discussed on opportunities for increasing the application of the software and dissemination of the software for increased number of users. The groups also put forward funding options to enable delivery of this training to larger numbers of users at various levels.Photo 1. Group work and discussion on ration evaluation and least cost ration formulation.Photo credit: ILRI/Bayissa Hatew.2.  Award session and group photo Once the discussions were completed, workshop participants were awarded certificates for successful completion of the ToT course on ration formulation for dairy cattle in Ethiopia. The workshop was concluded after a group photograph.7SummaryIn the three and a half days of the ToT workshop, extensive demonstrations were provided to help build the capacity of participants in using the PCDAIRY_ET_Amh ration formulation software. Trainees also practised how to evaluate a ration, formulate the least-cost ration with locally available feed resources and ultimately train others. The feedback from the trainees was that the training was interesting, practical, clear and a timely opportunity for Ethiopia. It was also mentioned that the software would not only make it easier for feed manufacturers to formulate proper and low-cost rations that would improve livestock productivity based on locally available feed resources but could also be used as a teaching tool in the universities by integrating the software into the curriculum thus ensuring sustainability. Besides, with the software, young researchers could learn about practical ruminant nutrition and thus formulate feeds that improve animal productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emission intensity among smallholder and commercial livestock producers. Extension agents could also be trained on using the software.8AnnexesAnnex 1. Program for training of trainers on ration formulation for dairy cattle in EthiopiaDay Date Session AgendaDay 1  Monday, 24 October 2022  0830–1215 hours Welcome note and self-introductionSoftware installation and introduction1215–1315 hours Lunch break1300–1700 hours Feed librariesDay 2  Tuesday, 25 October 2022  0830–1215 hours Evaluation module: input screens1215–1315 hours Lunch break1300–1700 hours Evaluation module: output reportsDay 3  Wednesday, 26 October 2022  0830–1215 hours Formulation module: input screens1215–1315 hours Lunch break1300–1700 hours Formulation module: output reportsDay 4  Thursday, 27 October 2022  0830–1100 hours Ration formulation exercises1100–1215 hours Award session and group photo1215–1315 hours Lunch and workshop closure9Annex 2. List of participantsNo. Name Institution/organization1 Yeshambel Mekuriaw Bahir Dar University2 Temesgen Dessalegn Hawassa University3 Yesihak Yusuf Haramaya University4 Aemiro Kahaliew EIAR, Holeta Research Centre5 Shigdaf Mekuriaw ARARI, Andassa Research Centre6 Deribe Gemiyo SARI7 Girma Chalchisa OARI, Adami Tulu Research Centre8 Birmaduma Gadisa OARI, Bako Research Centre9 Endeshaw Assefa ATI10 Mulugeta Gudisa MoA11 Misikir Mengistu MoA12 Hibret Legesse MoA13 Mekides Gebermariam MoA14 Nigus Dessale Amhara Livestock Agency15 Endalikachew Birilie Private, Sona Animal Feed Producer16 Gemechu Nemie Ethiopian Feed Producers’ Association17 Andnet Asefa Gumara Feed Producers’ Association18 Kirubel Fufa Gelan Feed Producers’ Association19 Serkalem Abebe Commercial Milk Producers’ Association20 Dereje Tsegaye Liben Farmers’ Cooperative Union21 Abera Dirago Sidama Elito Farmers’ Cooperative Union22 Beemnet Giref Wodera Farmers’ Cooperative UnionCGIAR’s Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition and Gender inclusion (SAPLING) is working in seven countries focusing on livestock value chains to package and scale out tried-and-tested, as well as new, innovations in livestock health, genetics, feed and market systems. SAPLING aims to demonstrate that improvements in livestock productivity can offer a triple win: generating improved livelihoods and nutritional outcomes; contributing to women’s empowerment; and, reducing impacts on climate and the environment. Its seven focus countries are Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda and Vietnam.

Report on training of trainers on ration formulation for dairy cattle in Ethiopia

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Report on training of trainers on ration formulation for dairy cattle in Ethiopia

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