Shiferaw, Tesfaye(PhD)Makonnen, Teferee2018-07-032023-11-192018-07-032023-11-192003-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/5981This 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 energyenGeography and Environmental StudiesThesis