Livestock production and utilization of sweet potato vines as source of feed in two districts of southern Ethiopia

Abstract

A diagnostic survey was carried out in Badawacho and Sodo Zuria districts of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS) of Ethiopia. The districts were characterized by mixed crop-livestock production system. The average land holding per household is 1.29 ha in the Badawacho district and 0.58 ha in Sodo Zuria district. Livestock have multiple roles. Households keep cattle mainly as a source of draft power in Sodo Zuria and as source of milk in Badawacho districts. The main purpose of keeping small ruminant was as a source of cash income. The average livestock holding per household was 2.60 and 1.97 TLU in Badawacho and Sodo Zuria districts, respectively. The survey indicated that the main dry season feed resources are crop residues, whereas natural pasture is the main source of feed in the wet season. According to the respondents, feed shortage is the major livestock production constraint in both Badawacho and Sodo Zuria districts. Feeding sweet potato vine to livestock is commonly practiced in both districts, mainly as fresh and also after curing. The bulk of sweet potato vine is obtained during harvesting of sweet potato tubers. Households use a smaller portion of the vine for propagation. But the larger proportion of the residue that is left aside is available for feeding to livestock.