A diagnostic study of crop-livestock interactions: in the Rift Valley and the western mid-highland areas of Ethiopia / Alemu Tolemariam and Moti Jaleta

Abstract

This report analyzes crop-livestock interactions in maize-based, mixed farming systems in the Rift Valley and the western, mid-highland areas of Ethiopia. These areas are known for their maize-based crop-livestock farming systems. Cross sectional survey data collected from 300 households in the Rift Valley area and among 199 households in the western, mid-highlands were used for the analysis. The results show that there is a strong interaction between crop and livestock production at the household level. Crop residue produced from major cereal crops is used as livestock feed. Compared to other cattle types, households keep relatively larger numbers of oxen, which are the only sources of draft power in crop production. Manure used in cereal crop production, mainly for maize, comes from livestock. Generally, existing trends indicate a strong complementarity between crop and livestock production at the household level.