The document discusses the development interventions in the cattle fattening value chain, highlighting the need for improved knowledge and skills among farmers to enhance production and marketing. It emphasizes the importance of credit access for purchasing animals, the adoption of stall feeding practices, and variations in market potential across districts. While initial successes were noted, challenges remain in scaling, particularly in animal supply and effective feed utilization.

1. Cattle fattening value chain development
Interventions and lessons
Knowledge
Va l u e c h a i n i n t e r v e n t i o n s management /
Input supply interventions Capacity development
Ta r g e t i n g
Targeting women and farmers
with entrepreunial skills willing
to invest
Existing rural shops : suppliers of suplemental feed and veterinary drugs
Knowledge management / skill
development
Study tours within and outside Training of paravets
the woreda
Organising farmers to ensure quality concentrate supply
Cattle fattening value chain actors
Production interventions
and their roles
Knowledge/Skills Input supply
MoARD, BoARD, OoARD, services
EARS
Private Sector Cooperative shops Training farmers in chopping, UMB preparation and urea treatment
Cooperatives Shops
Specialized farmers Veterinary Clinics
Consultants Government
NGOs NGOs
Use of indigenous breeds for fattening Promoting the use of adequate
forage
Students
Organising awards for best Woreda knowledge centers :
practitioners powerful institutions
Fatteners
Urea molasses block locally produced Better use of concentrates for fattening
for supplemental feed
Credit Marketing
Additional ICT-supported
Microfinance institutions information /knowledge via
Cooperatives Ethiopian Agriculture Portal
Private industry (EAP) www.eap.gov.et
Private industry Cooperatives
Shops Traders
Feed suppliers
Chopping and urea treatment of Better animal care for better results
sorghum stover Lessons & Challenges
Processing / Marketing interventions • The meat value chain development through fattening of large ruminants is a continuous process, which requires new responses in
knowledge, skills and interventions and sets of actors depending on differences in the level of commercialization of households and Dis-
tricts.
• In general the public sector staff and farmers knowledge and skills required for commercial fattening were inadequate and were there-
fore augmented with i) study tours, ii) in service training with follow up learning sessions in the field , iii) improved access to knowledge
through Woreda Knowledge Centers and FTCs and iv) use of trainers from research and consultants.
• In general, fattening of animals was relatively easily adopted by farmers and resulted in positive contribution to income. Some women
farmers are involved, however this is not widespread.
• Differences existed between Districts and households in fattening practices, i.e. at the early stages of commercialization Districts/house-
holds fattened their own draft animals, while at a more advanced stage farmers purchased animals mainly for fattening. To stimulate
this development, credit to purchase animals is required. The project demonstrated successfully the use of credit to purchase a varying
number of animals, depending on the skills of the fattener. However supply of such animals is limited and will become a constraint when
scaling out.
Use livestock fairs to promote fattening and marketing activity
• To improve the productivity of fattened animals, the project partners stimulated the use of stall feeding in sheltered environments. This
practice was successfully adopted by most farmers. Urea treated straw for stall feeding is not easily adopted by fatteners.
• The main production intervention was the supplementary feeding of animals with agricultural industrial by products. Many farmers are
experimenting, especially since availability and prices of different products varied over time and between Districts. More knowledge is
required to assist farmers in formulating economically viable rations.
• The third major production intervention was the introduction of improved breeds on an experimental scale. While farmers like the ani-
mals, no tangible impact can be seen as yet.
• The project facilitated the introduction of privatized paravet services with credit. The effectiveness of this system is still to be studied.
• Linkages with concentrate shops/suppliers were facilitated. This has contributed to the development of the fattening system. The produc-
tion and supply of UMB had however limited adoption.
• Market potential varied between Districts, reflected in considerable price differences. Most sales are targeted to the domestic seasonal
Linking farmers/pastoralists with traders Use local markets as linkeage platforms holiday market. Market price information, linkages with traders and marketing group formation helped in obtaining better prices. To enter
on livestock fair between traders and fatteners the export markets regulatory bodies and quarantine services need improvement.
• “Livestock fair” is successful in promoting and marketing of animals.
• While not yet significant, stall feeding of stover for fattening can lead to a loss of nutrients and organic material for crop production.
Addressing demands of urban markets as driver for fattening development