WOLLEGA UNIVERSITY, SHAMBU CAMPUS
FACULITY OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCES

 INTRODUCTION

Agriculture is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy, in which about 85% of its population is engaged. The agriculture sector is characterized to a large extent by mixed farming system. Livestock play a vital role in the farming system of the country. In the mixed crop-livestock system of the Ethiopian highlands, livestock are mainly used for draught power, milk and meat production and source of manure (fertilizer). The sale of livestock and livestock products serve as a source of cash income to buy household needs and agricultural inputs (Bekele, 1991; ICRI, 1995). In the lowlands, livestock are sources of food, income, prestige and security in times of hardship (Beruk, 2000).
The varied agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia make it suitable for a large number and many kinds of livestock. Ethiopia is said to be endowed with the largest livestock population in Africa. It possesses about 17% of cattle, 15% of sheep and goats and about 49% of the equine population of Africa. Moreover, there are about 4.6 million honeybee colonies, 56 million poultry and large number of aquatic animals and wild life resources.
The sub-sector represents one of the major national resources. This huge animal resource, however, makes a disproportionately small contribution to national income, especially export income, and to national food production.Read More