Forage development as an input for improved animal production and
marketing in Fogera district
Pasture land in Fogera Intervention Results
• IPMS collaborated with local partners to mobilize the Biomass production
• Fogera district has a plain topography and vast productive community to weed the Amikela in six major infested areas
PAs Exclusion areas Forage productivities Forage dry biomass
grazing land that is usually flooded during the rainy • The project introduced area closure and cut and carry
(t/ha) (t/PA per year)
season by overflows from the local rivers of Gumara and systems for better forage production
2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009
Rib, and Lake Tana.
Shina 7.0 7.7 8.5 7.8 59.5 60.0
• Natural pasture land was used to support large number of
livestock both from the district and neighboring districts
Amikela clearance Kuhar 6.0 11.4 10.7 10.5 64.2 119.47
Abakiros 38.5 7.0 269.1
during the dry season Guramba 20.0 137.4
• The free and uncontrolled grazing system in the district Menogzer 14.0 102.9
91.6 123.7 179.47
resulted in severe degradation of the grazing land, the
disappearance of palatable forage species, and the
emergence of unpalatable noxious weeds like Hygrophilla
auriculata (Amikela). Furthermore, conversion of many
pasture lands into rice lands since 1987 resulted in a Scaling up/out successful forage
scarcity of pasture land. Community mobilization to Engaging women in the process developments
institutionalize the system of Amikela clearing
Name of PAs selected Number of people participated Area in Ha.
Men Women
Forage production Shina 1742 95 23.75
Wagetera 436 98 67.00
Aboakokit 996 683 38.75
Kidist Hanna 923 143 42.75
Nabega 392 240 21.00
Shaga 1200 350 75.00
Total 5689 1609 268.50
Meeting to create faire
distribution
Delineation and area enclosure and Available forage production
Fogera district land cover palatable forage cultivation for area in Fogera Lessons and challenges
Fogera dairy cattle production • Hand weeding of Amikela helps to reduce the infestation level of
grazing land significantly during subsequent years and improves
biodiversity
• Amikela clearance coupled with area enclosure helps poor people to
share common resources and create income through the sale of grass
• Amikela clearance and area enclosure improves social interaction
among community members and helps in community conflict
resolution
• Area enclosure supports beekeeping by providing more pollen and
nectar
• Adoption of delineation of grazing area/ cut and carry management
in neighboring districts was not uniform
• There is a need for study on the existing land tenure system
First forage harvest from enclosed Production of useful forages for
area bees and the environment
Pasture land invaded by Amikela in Fogera District
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