Benefits of agroforestry for improved animal
welfare in Ethiopia: Evidence from Dugda
and Humbo districts
Gezahegn Alemayehu1, Tsega Berhe1, Eyob Gelan1, Mulugeta Mokria2 and Rebecca Doyle1,3
1International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ,
2World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ,
3University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Introduction
Agroforestry is a promising agricultural practice which
integrated crop-livestock-tree systems to improve health,
welfare and productivity of the livestock. It is a key
approach to greater sustainable sources of high-quality
fodder which improve animal welfare and ensure food
security of the farmer.
Aim: To evaluate and demonstrate the benefits of
combining agroforestry-livestock systems for animal
welfare in Ethiopia.
There was evidence of insufficient nutrition, discomfort and pain on
assessed farm animals, and these were all more common in areas of
restricted tree access.
Pictures
Conclusion
Agroforestry practice improves animal health, welfare and
productivity though better feed and shade access which in turn
improve household food security level and income.
Results
Majority of the farmers in good tree access sites have better
agroforestry resource such as fruit and exotic fodders trees,
vegetable and root crop in their farms compared to less tree
access
Gezahegn Alemayehu
gezahegn.almayehu@cgiar.org ● P.O.Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ● +251 116 17 2219
● ilri.org
This project was funded by Biovision Foundation
This document is licensed for use under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.
December 2021.
December 2021
Study area
The research project was conducted in Dugda (Oromia)
and Humbo (SNNP) districts of Ethiopia.
Methodology
Welfare status of animal were assessed using resource
and animal-based indicators. The assessments were
conducted on four animal species (cattle, donkey,
sheep and goat) by trained veterinarian.
ILRI thanks all donors and organizations which globally support its work through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund.
0
20
40
60
80
100
fruit trees exotic trees
for fodder
indigenous
tree for
fodder and
shade
vegetables
for animal
feed
root crops
for animal
feed
%
Agroforestry resources
less tree access good tree acces
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
LTA GTA LTA GTA LTA GTA LTA GTA
cattel sheep goat donkey
%
welfare indicators
skinny (BCS 1 or 2) nasal discharge coughing
Body condition of cow at good tree access (left) and less tree
access(right) at same point in time.
Acknowledgements
▪ Biovision Foundation for funding this project
▪ Humbo and Dugda district Agricultural offices
▪ Areka Research Center