Assessment of Major Production Constraints and Common Diseases of Cattle in Selected Districts of East Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia

This study was under taken in selected districts of east Wollega Zone of Oromia region with the objective of assessing major cattle production constraints and common cattle diseases. Questionnaire was developed and designed in a simple manner to get accurate information and pre-tested on a small group of farmers. The major cattle production constraints and common cattle diseases were identified by a pilot study and raking technique and utilized to prioritize the listed production constraints and diseases. The study districts sampled purposively whereas ‘kebeles’ or “Ganda” were selected randomly and respondents were selected using systematic random sampling techniques. Thus, a total of 90 farmers were interviewed, accordingly. A single-visit- multi-subject formal survey technique was used. Finally, the data was analyzed with SPSS statistical software and constraints were ranked and quantified using Rank Based Quotient formula. Among the six listed constraints animal feed and grazing land shortage has been assigned rank number one (82.15%) and animal health and veterinary service related problem was ranked second (81.04%). And also among the fourteen mentioned cattle diseases, diseases that ranked first, second and third were trypanosomiasis (82.65%), blackleg (60.75%), and internal and external parasites (54.9%), respectively. In conclusion, in this study animal feed and grazing land shortage and animal diseases were the main farmer’s cattle production problems. Besides, majority of farmers were practicing poor animal husbandry that creates favorable environment for the disease multiplication and distribution in the communities. Therefore, further research has to put emphasis on this prioritized production constraints using reliable tools (laboratory finding supported) and introduction of improved forage species and strengthen the fodder development practices by providing continuous training. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-11-04 Publication date:June 30th 201