PROCEEDINGS First National Oxen Traction Research Review and Strategy Workshop / l v Organized by Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO) International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Sponsored by European Union (EU)—Oxen Traction Project/Ethiopia !' £3i- el* ^ PROCEEDINGS Mm t M mm cm® I Qwmi Tracte-im' Research Review and Strategy Workshop PROCEEDINGS First National Oxen Traction Research Review and Strategy Workshop 3-5 December 1997 Debre Zeit, Ethiopia Organized by Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO) International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Sponsored by European Union (EU)— Oxen Traction Project/Ethiopia ©1998 Published by Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO), and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Addis Abeba, Ethiopia Sponsored by European Union (EU)— Oxen Traction Project/Ethiopia Workshop Organizing Committee Dr Alemu Gebre Wold, Holetta Research Center, EARO— Chairman Seyoum Bedeye, Holetta Research Center, EARO— Secretary Firew Kelemu, Melkasa Research Center, EARO— Member Page layout Amare MoIIa Correct Citation EARO (Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization) and ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute). 1998. Proceedings of the First National Oxen Traction Research Review and Strategy Workshop, 3-5 December! 997, Debre Zeit Management Institute, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia. EARO and ILRI, Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. CONTENTS PREFACE WELCOME ADDRESS OPENING ADDRESS PARTI. PLENARY SESSION Role of draft oxen power in Ethiopian agriculture Alemu Gebre Wold Status of oxen traction research in ILRI, Ethiopia: experiences and global prospective Osujiy P.O., Umuntta, N.N., Seblewengel, B. Talle and Asfaw Yimegnuhal Nutrient requirement and feeding strategy for draft oxen Seyoum Bediye Prevalent diseases of draft oxen and control measures Feseha Gebreab Cattle breed improvement for sustainable draft power use in Ethiopian agriculture Azage Tegegne Alternative application of oxen power for its optimal use AbiyeAstatke andMelese Temesgen Alternative practices in crop production for small-scale farmers in case of animal power shortage Adugna Wakjira andAmare Gizaw Need for integrated approach in animal power use in Ethiopia Feseha Gebreab PART II. TECHNICAL PAPERS 71 Use of oxen in the central zone of Ethiopia: experiences in eastern Shewa 73 Tilahun Mulatu and Mengistu Geza Use of oxen in the central highlands of Ethiopia: experience in Western 79 Shewa Zone Fikre Abera Uses of oxen in traditional farming systems of southern Ethiopia: experience in Adami Tutu, Sidama, Welayita and Areka 85 Abule Ebro Farming systems research in draft animals in Ethiopia and its implication for future research 92 Hailu Beyene Use of oxen in the traditional farming systems of northwest Ethiopia: experience in Amhara Region 98 Alemu Hattye, Asmare Yallew and Aklilu Agidie Use of oxen traction in traditional farming system of Western Ethiopia: experience in Bako 105 Mulugeta Kebede Use of oxen in the traditional farming system of Southwestern Ethiopia: experience in Jima 111 Berhanu Belay Use of oxen in the traditional farming systems of Eastern Ethiopia: experience in the Eastern Harerge 118 Mohammed Yusuf Kurtu andEshetu Mulatu Use of oxen in the highlands of Ethiopia: Experience at Holetta and Ginchi 131 Taye Bekure . PART III. STRATEGIES FOR FUTURE RESEARCH IN 137 ANIMAL TRACTION Group discussion 139 Observations and recommendations 142 WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS 145 Proceedings First National Oxen Traction Research Review and Strategy Workshop Published by EARO and llRl P. 1-2 Preface The first National Workshop on ’’Oxen Traction Research Review and Strategy" was held during 3-5 December 1997 at the Ethiopian Management Institute (EMI), Debre Zeit. A total of 52 professionals from the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization EARO), Ministry of Agriculture, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Higher Learning Institutions, Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission (ESTC), Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation (MEDAC), Regional Agricultural Bureaus, and UNDP attended the three day workshop. The workshop was opened by Dr. Mengistu Hulluka, Academic Vice President of the Alemaya University of Agriculture. The workshop was jointly organized by the EARO and ILRI, with the financial assistance obtained from the European Union (EU). The purpose of the workshop was to review research and development efforts on oxen traction and identify future strategies in the utilization of oxen traction in Ethiopia. The workshop programme was composed of scientific paper presentations in plenary and technical sessions, field visits and group discussions. A total of 17 papers were presented and field visits were made to the Melkasa Research Center of EARO near Nazareth and ILRI's Research Station at Debre Zeit. Oxen traction has been, since time immemorial, an integral part of the smallholder farming system in Ethiopia. According to some historical facts, the use of oxen for traction in the country dates back to 2750 B.C. Ethiopia was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to develop the use oxen for traction purposes and currently owns about 50% of the total oxen population on the continent. It was also noted that livestock are used as source of power in many other developing countries, and plow about 52% of the total of 479 million hectares of arable land. Agricultural mechanization through the use of tractors and other farm machinery has been considered as a "quick fix" to many of the agricultural development schemes in developing countries. However, this approach has resulted in dismal failures due to high cost of machinery, oil and spare parts and the need for highly qualified technicians. Moreover, fragmented and small landholding and the potential negative impact of motorized technologies on the environment are limiting factors for such agricultural mechanization. As a result, the current trend in agricultural development in many developing countries is based on animal powered intensification with due consideration to the environment. In Ethiopia, crop production is almost totally dependent upon animal power. In 1994/95, about 6 million, 0.9 million and 0.4 million hectares of land were cultivated employing approximately 9 million draft oxen for the production of cereal crops, pulses and oil crops, respectively. About 62% of the meat production comes from oxen slaughtered after completion of their services as traction animals and 90% of the milk produced is a by-products of the process of production of animals for traction purposes. Draft oxen also produce an estimated 60 million tones of manure per annum which is primarily used as fuel or fertilizer. It is also estimated that the power generated by these animals is equivalent to about 30% of the total electricity used annually in the country. Approximately 87% of the farm community is dependent on mixed crop-livestock production systems, and hence the role of draft oxen in providing farm power and other related utilities can not be overemphasized. 2 \PREFACE In accordance with the agriculture-led industrialization policy of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, efforts are being made to ensure self-sufficiency in food production and promote food security in the country. This can only be realized through the application of direct farm inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizers etc, proper and efficient production techniques and conducive policy environment The emphasis given to ensure the fulfillment of the animal power requirements of the smallholder farmer in the crop-livestock production system, however, is far below expectations. In this production system, about 34% of the farmers own one ox and another 29% have no oxen. Availability and access to draft oxen at the right time of the year influence cropland cultivation and agricultural productivity. In the highlands of Ethiopia, where the majority of the mixed crop-livestock production systems prevail, human population pressure has resulted in land fragmentation, pushing crop production into more fragile areas which result in land degradation and loss of productivity. Agricultural intensification to improve farm outputs, while protecting the environment, are major concerns of today. To ensure sustainable agricultural production systems in the country, a more integrated and efficient crop-livestock systems have to evolve. In this regard, a more efficient and sustainable animal power use should be developed and extended to the fanning communities at large. This, however, can only be achieved through protracted and concerted research and extension efforts by the concerned institutions. During the workshop, research results related to oxen traction, feed resources and feeding strategies, animal breeding options to improve animal power, animal drawn implements, animal diseases and socio-economic aspects were presented and reviewed. The workshop participants appreciated the efforts being made in this regard, but also realized that there is a dire need for more integrated and focused approach to be able to impact on the farming communities. It was also noted that participatory and multi-disciplinary research programmes involving animal scientists, veterinarians, soil scientists, agricultural engineers, economists and others have to be developed in the future. An appropriate policy environment that enables promotion of smallholder agriculture intensification, incorporating animal production and power, should also be created. In order