Abstract: Study was conducted to assess traditional management practice and constraints of cattle production in Gamo Gofa Zone, south western Ethiopia. Multi-stage purpose sampling technique was employed to select the districts and kebeles for the study. Focus group discussion and structured questionnaire were used to collect data from 352 households. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Result indicated majority of the respondents were household heads and house wives in terms of position in the household. In the area cattle was the most important specious followed by goat and sheep. Cattle production in the study area had significant role in socio economic condition of the farmers being source of draft power, food, manure and income and/or had role in diversifying the income of the farmers. Seasonal fluctuations in the availability and quality of feed have been a common phenomenon, inflecting serious changes in livestock production. River was the major water source and good veterinary access was also observed. Natural mating was the dominant breeding method and selection of the animal was based on physical appearance. Scarcity of land and quality and quantity of feeds, lack of awareness on feed conservation methods, breeding technologies and lack of market information were the major challenges mentioned. Hence, awareness creation and extension service on breeding practice and feed conservation technologies should be done.

Keywords: Cattle production, Gamo gofa, production system, Traditional husbandry.
Title: Traditional Cattle Husbandry Practice in Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Western Ethiopia
Author: Belay Zeleke, Minale Getachew (Dr.)
ISSN 2394-966X
International Journal of Novel Research in Life Sciences
Novelty Journals