Livestock (breed and feed) interventions at
the Kabe Watershed Pilot Project in
Ethiopia, 2011-2013
Wondmagegne Bekele (Sirinka Agricultural Research
Center, ARARI) and Solomon Abreha (Wollo University)
Workshop on the lessons and success stories from a
pilot project on climate change adaptation
interventions in Kabe watershed, south Wollo,
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, 11-12 February 2013

Rural poor communities rely greatly for their survival on agriculture and
Rural poor communities rely greatly for their survival on agriculture and
livestock keeping that are amongst the most climate-sensitive economic
livestock keeping that are amongst the most climate-sensitive economic
sectors.
sectors.
••Livestock has the potential to support the CC adaptation efforts of the
Livestock has the potential to support the CC adaptation efforts of the
poor
poor
••Ingeneral, livestock is more resistant to climate change than crops
In general, livestock is more resistant to climate change than crops
• Pilot climate change adaptation interventions in the livestock sector
have been made in kabe water shed ILRI -UNEP-Wollo University
Watershed Project through:-
•• Breeding strategies
Breeding strategies
•• feeding interventions
feeding interventions

– Using Village based breeding program
– 40 participant farmer in 13 group
– Awassi crossbred rams were
distributed for each group
– Birth and weaning weight have
significantly increased
– Increase the capability Mitigation
of GHG emissions in the water
shed through faster growing
nature of the cross breeds

feeding interventions
Using different forage production strategies (Bunds, gulley,
backyard) 645 stem cut elephant grass were planted and also .
For each participant farmer
• 50 kg vetch 3.4 DM t/ha
• 150 kg oat were distributed 5.9 DM t/ha
 The composition of feed has some bearing on enteric
 The composition of feed has some bearing on enteric
fermentation and the emission of CH4 from the rumen or
fermentation and the emission of CH4 from the rumen or
hindgut
hindgut
 The higher the proportion of improved feed in the diet, the
 The higher the proportion of improved feed in the diet, the
lower the emissions of CH4 . .
lower the emissions of CH4

Advantage of Awassi Cross Breed in Climate adaptation
Sheep Reproduction performance

Advantage of Awassi Cross Breed in Climate adaptation
Sheep Reproduction performance