Smallholder Dairy Production Technology Transfer and Adoption Constraints in Mixed Farming System in Girar Jarso Woreda of North Shoa Zone Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was carried out from September 2006 to April 2007 in four Kebeles’ of Girar-Jarso Woreda, North Shoa zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia to assess productive performance of dairy cows and technology use in 200 randomly selected market-oriented smallholder dairy farms. A structured questionnaire survey, farm visit, and PA discussion were conducted during the study. The overall mean family size of respondents in this study was 5.77+2.35 persons. The average number of economically active family members (greater than 15 years old) was 2.44 persons (1.20 ± 1.25 male and 1.24 ± 1.33 female). The average number of livestock owned by the respondent farmers was 16.65 ± 7.11animals or 9.47 TLU. Dairy cows constituted the highest proportion of the herd followed by draft oxen. Crossbred dairy cows represented the highest proportion of the cattle herd composition with the mean value of 1.83 (22.7%). There was statistically significant difference between crossbred and value of 1.83 (22.7%). There was statistically significant difference between crossbred and indigenous cattle in all production and reproduction performance parameters assessed (p<0.05). The respondent farmers pointed-out that scarcity of feeds, mainly during dry season, is the major limiting factor which affected the development of livestock sub-sector in general and the rearing of crossbred dairy cows in particular. Land allotted for livestock grazing was only 0.71 hectares. From a total of 21 dairy technologies identified in the study area crossbreeding and mastitis inspection had highest adoption rates, 91.5% and 95% respectively. The average numbers of dairy technology up take was 9.89 +2.16 with a range from 5-16. Sex, age, level of education and farming experience were found important characteristics that influence demand for dairy technologies in the study area. The results showed that the female groups were less users of dairy technology averaged 9.26 +1.90 compared to the male group (average 9.95+2.20); thus gender differences seem to have a significance influence on likelihood of technology uptake. Education was another important factor that favored the likelihood of technology uptakes. This suggests the important role of education in stimulating demand for technology use. Farm experiences also determine the use of dairy technology in the study area. Accordingly the t-values of the variables were computed and out of these variable the age, farm experience, and level of education were found to differ significantly (p > 0.05) probability level. As expected, sex is positively and is statistically significant (p < 0.05) for all technologies identified and adopted in the area. According to the survey result characteristics of the household head (84%) and source of information (68.5%) were the most frequent factors that influence the decisions of the household to choice new technologies. Keywords: Dairy technology, reproduction performance, adoption, market oriented, constraint