¹School of Veterinary Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia

²School of Veterinary Medicine, Ambo University, P.O. Box 19, Guder, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: Isayas Asefa Kebede, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ambo University, P.O. Box 19, Guder, Ethiopia, Tel: +251-(09)-11-89-49-73; E-mail: [email protected].

Received Date: August 31, 2023

Published Date: November 17, 2023

Citation: Dekebo D, Kebede IA. (2023). Review On Dairy Cattle Production In Ethiopia: Review Article. Mathews J Vet Sci. 7(4):28.

Copyrights: Dekebo D, et al. © (2023).

ABSTRACT

Ethiopia has a large livestock population, and a relatively favorable climate for improved, high-yielding dairy cattle breeds. The aim of this seminar paper is to write a review on dairy production in Ethiopia. Among livestock production systems, dairy production is one of the prevalent production systems. It is generally a subsistence smallholder-based industry with relatively small and medium commercial dairy farms. Smallholder farmers represent about 85% of the population and are responsible for 98% of milk production. Productivity however is relatively low, quality feeds are difficult to obtain and support services are inadequate. Cattle are the main source of milk production and they have their own contribution to family nutrition and income generation. The use of AI involved in improving indigenous breeds through crossbreeding started over years later. The use of improved dairy cattle or hybrid cows with relatively better management purchased and conserved feed, and stall-feeding results in better performance and high profitability. The dairy sector is developing but not to the desired level of its potential mainly due to various challenges such as; high feed cost, land shortage and space limitation, feed quality, availability and cost problems as well as inadequate extension and veterinary services. A review of the dairy sector in Ethiopia indicates that there is a need to focus interventions more coherently. Development interventions should be aimed at addressing technological gaps and marketing problems. The government needs to pay attention to this sector and should make developmental interventions in the various components such as breeding, animal health, feeding, milk collection, storage, processing, and distribution.

Keywords: Cattle, Dairy, Development, Ethiopia, Production.