Abstract:
Indigenous knowledge is a local knowledge acquired by local people through the accumulation of
experiences, informal experiments and an intimate understanding of the environment in a given
culture. The knowhow of cattle diseases diagnosis and treatment practice using indigenous
knowledge play key role to improve farming and animal husbandry practices. The main objective
of the study was to explore indigenous knowledge and develop a system for cattle diseases
diagnosis, treatment and modes of application. The study area of this study is limited to the
selected kebeles from East Wollega Zone. To achieve this study, exploratory research method was
used to carry out the research and data collection instruments like observation, focus group
discussion and interview were used to collect data from respondents. The study populations were
farmers of selected from Jireenyaa, Gaarii, Kewesssa Shoonaa, Hordaa Dongii, Guutee Guddinaa
and Oboraa kebeles. To conduct this study; the researcher used purposive sampling techniques to
select respondents. The total population of this study was 107 respondents. The data was collected
from respondent during the period between April and May 2019. Based on the finding, a system
was developed for cattle diseases identification, diagnosis and treatment. Rule based disease
treatment and identification was constructed using decision tree algorithm and the data set of the
rule was knowledge obtained from indigenous knowledge practicioners of study area. The attained
data showed that, people in the study area have good perception and practices on indigenous
knowledge medicine of cattle diseases diagnosis and treatment. Since the drugs of this knowledge
practices are easy to access and very little in cost, it is economically important to the farmers.
These types of knowledge practices was accessed from elders and transferred through orally. To
acquire, share, store and use indigenous knowledge medicine, local herbalist used songs, poem
and heroic tale mechanism. This kind of valuable knowledge need to be stored, transferred and
preserved for the next generation. Documenting indigenous knowledge is very to avoid the loss of
this knowledge practices and is strongly recommended.
