Dairy Production Potential and Challenges in Western Oromia Milk Value Chain, Oromia, Ethiopia

Challenges and opportunities of milk production potential in western Oromia Dairy value chain was studied with the general essence of understanding the status of milk production, marketing and utilization of the area along with the constraints hindering the development of the sector. Seven Towns, namely Ambo, Naqamte, Gimbi, Dambi-Dollo, Baddalle, Mattu and Jimma were purposively selected on the basis of their significance in the dairy production of the region. Altogether 161 dairy farmers dwelling in these peri-urban dairy farming systems were purposefully selected and interviewed individually using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questions posed to the farmers include aspects of dairy cattle production and productivity breeding management, available feed resource and feeding strategy, milk and milk product consumption patterns and marketing, Challenges in milk production and potential opportunities available for the improvement in the dairy sector were assessed. Perusal of the results revealed that there are location differences in cattle holding, milk production, consumption and marketing system. It was found that both local breeds and dairy types (crosses) of animals were kept in the area. The dairy types are mostly Holstein Friesian with different blood levels, and were reported to produce on average more than 3 folds (6.5 lt vs 2.2 lt) of the local animals. Large number of lactating cows and high milk production per household was being reported from Jimma. While small number of cows and low milk production per household was reported from Gimbi of west Wollega zone. It is evident from the result that the demand in dairying is steadily increasing in all the study sites. Results also emphasized the important role of dairying in generating employment in the peri-urban system of Oromia regional State. However, unavailability of improved dairy stock and in adequate A.I. services, shortage of feeds and cost of concentrates, disease challenges and price fluctuation in milk and milk products are some of the bottlenecks that requires systematic planning and intervention from all development practitioners