A Study on Urban Agriculture: The Case of Small-Scale Urban Dairy Farming in Selected Areas of Addis Ababa
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Date
2003-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This research paper is a study on urban agriculture with particular emphasis on small-scale
dairy farming in selected areas of Addis Ababa. The general objective of the study is to
identify some of the major problems and constraints faced by the urban dairy farmers, and
investigate and explain the character and role of urban agriculture with emphasis to smallscale
dairy farming. It also tries to see the types of assistance needed and suggestes possible
solutions to the problems.
The analysis of the study utilized both primary and secondary data. The primary data were
collected through a questionnaire survey that covered 240 small-scale dairy farming
households with less than five dairy cows in their herd in twelve 'weredas', two 'weredas'
each from the six zones, of Addis Ababa. The 'weredas' are located in the central and
peripheral parts of the city. The secondary data were collected from different libraries,
document centers, organizations and offices.
The study discusses the role of urban agriculture in connection with nutrition and food
security, income generation and employment, and environmental improvement. An
assessment was also made on the problems of urban agriculture. An attempt was made to
investigate the socio-economic and demographic profile of the dairy farming households.
Accordingly, people in the higher age groups with low level of education and large
household size, well established migrants, males (85.5%), married (76.5%) and people from
diverse occupation groups are major participants. Amhara and Oromo ethnic groups
comprise the bulk of the dairy farmers (88%) and 93.3% of the producers belong to
Orthodox religion.
As the findings of the study reveal, the need to feed family as the major factor that motivated
dairy farmers to start the activity is 59.2% and business at residence as the major
consideration in site selection is 75.0%. Most of the dairy farmers initially purchased dairy
cows to start operation (80.8%) using their own money (82.1%) and acquired information
and skills to run activity mainly from relatives/friends (80.8%).
The dairy herd in both locations is composed of local, crossbred and pure exotic breeds.
The local breeds are found to have extended calving intervals, short lactation lengths and
low milk yields compared to crosses and exotic breeds. Average production of milk and fat, original cost and feed supply were major factors considered in initial breed selection.The producers mainly conduct the dairying activity using family labour in smaller land area,
including the living accommodation. Stall-feeding is practiced in both locations, but grazing
is also common in the periphery, and the major feed sources include hay, wheat bran,
concentrate oil cake and "atela". Animal feed is not only costly but its availability is also
seasonal. Feed is brought to farm using vehicles, donkeys and human porters. Piped water
is a major source of drinking water for animals. Natural mating is the most frequently used
breeding method used by 77.9% of the farmers. About 71.7% of the producers obtain
veterinary services from MoA while others use private clinics and local traditional
practitioners. Nearly 74.2% of the farmers have never been supported by extension agents
in their activity.
Evidence from the findings of this study indicated that the most ranked source of expense of
milk production is animal feed followed by utilities and labour. Similarly, the most ranked
factor that affects the productivity of the dairy cows and profitability of the dairy farms is
choice of breeds followed by feed resources and improved feed system, and veterinary
services and animal health care. The major problems in managing the dairy farms include
shortage and high cost of animal feed; diseases like mastitis, pneumonia, anthrax, tick
related, foot and mouth; low production potential of indigenous cattle; lack of adequate
space for dairying; lack of labour, credit and veterinary and extension services. Most of the
producers have fear of eviction and do not know government's attitude towards urban dairy
farming and its recognition, and most of them have never received assistance from the
government.
Most of the producers (63.7%) do not keep records of daily milk output from each cow
milked. Most of the milk is allocated for sale and the sale of fresh milk is the most frequent
and regular source of cash income for the producers. The majority of the farmers sold milk
directly to consumers. Proximity, price and reliability were considered in the selection of
market outlets. Milk prices are found to be slightly higher in the inner city compared to the
periphery and prices are determined mainly by the producers. Milk is sold at the point of
production (farm gate) or is delivered to customer's house mainly on foot. Fresh milk is the most frequently consumed product by the producers followed by Yoghurt. Unsold milk is processed into butter and local cheese, consumed by the family or is fed to animals. Most of the producers use manure as a source of household energy
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Geography and Environmental Studies