Abstract:
In Ethiopia the dairy industry plays an enormous role in ensuring food security and creating rural employment in
the highlands and lowland areas. In 2013 the annual milk produc on was es mated to be 3.8 billion liters from
ca le and 165 million liters from camel. From this, the total produc on of cow milk holds 4.06 billion liters and the
average daily milk production/cow of 1.86 litres/day. However, Milk yield per day per cow remains to be low for
indigenous dairy cattle compared to cross bred in different part of the country. According to different studies,
there was 1.0. l, 2.07, 1.5 l, 1.5, 1.5, 2, 3.3, 2.2, 2, 1.9, 2.8, 2.2 in Gambela, Sidama, Mekele, Bahir Dar, Diredawa
and Harar, Ambo, Bedele, Jimma, Metu, Nakemte, Dembi Dolo, respectively. On the other hand, cross bred dairy
cows provided considerable amount of milk in different areas. According to the studies conducted by different
researchers, there was 11.6, 10.8, 7.1, 15, 7.5, 7.8, 4, and 9.3 in Bishoftu, Akaki, Bahir Dar, Diredawa, Harar, Ambo,
Bedele and Jimma, respectively. Cross breeding program had significantly improved the genetic level of an
overwhelming majority of indegiounous dairy cattle. Aside from the genetics, the milk yield is constrained by
shortage of feed availability, water and lack of improved herd management. Therefore, improvement on the
genetic makeup of dairy cattle should be complemented with provision of improved forage crops,
supplementation of concentrate, adequate veterinary services and improved herd management.
