Abstract:
This study attempted to characterize the beef cattle production and marketing systems in three
selected Woredas of East Shewa administrative zone, central Ethiopia. The specific objectives of
the study were to characterize beef cattle production, marketing systems and determinants of
market choices and to identify constraints and opportunities for beef cattle production and
marketing in the study area. A total of 276 beef cattle producers, household heads, were selected
and interviewed. Besides, household survey, the marketing system was also assessed from four
well known cattle markets in East Shewa administrative zone namely Adama, Mojo, Wonji and
Walanchiti. According to results of the study, for 220 (79.7%) of the respondents crop-livestock
mixed production system is the main sources of income. Overall mean family size was 8.46 ±
0.17(Mean ± SE) heads per household and it was significantly different (p<0.05) among the
three woredas. The average herd size of cattle per household in the study area was 10.39 ±
0.21(Mean ± SE) heads.. About 83% of the herd owners keep beef cattle to generate cash income
and farming purposes. Overall, (76.40%) of the respondents used own products and purchased
feeds for their cattle. In the study area the major feed resources ranked first, second and third
were crop residue, natural pasture and oil seed cake with an index of 0.296, 0.266 and 0.245,
respectively. About 114 (41.30%) of the respondents spent 200-300 ETB per month for the
purchase of feed. Ponds and rivers are the major sources of water in the study areas. According
to the sample households the constraints to cattle production system were lack of capital, high
feed price and shortage of land for grazing and forage development were ranked as first, second
and third with an index of 0.250, 0.193 and 0.109, respectively. The majority of the respondents
189 (68.50%); get destination market information before they went out to sell their cattle.. As
stated by 237(85.90%) of the respondents; seasonal feed and water availability and the
socioeconomic factors (fasting periods, holidays) were the major reasons for the cattle price
variation across months/seasons.
