Assessment of the Production System of Indigenous Dairy Cattle Breeds in Metekel and Some Parts of the Awi Zone, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Mtekel and some parts of the Awi Zone to assess indigenous dairy cattle production patterns in the study area. The majority of respondents (98.3% and 53.95%) were male and literate, respectively. Land holdings varied significantly, ranging from landless households to those owning up to 280 hectares. The predominant farming activity was mixed farming (69%). Agriculture was the primary source of income for 79.3% of respondents across all districts. The trend in cattle productivity was increasing, with the main objective of cattle production being income generation. Cattle were the major contributors to household income, followed by crop production, and were considered the most important livestock species in the area. Crop residues and communal grazing lands were the primary feed resources during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Overall, cattle production was identified as the major income source, a significant contributor to household income, and a multifunctional agricultural activity for the farming community in rural, peri-urban, and urban areas of the study area. The relevant authorities should focus on improving cattle production in terms of feed, breeding, health, and management practices to enhance productivity and improve livelihoods.