Regassa, Fekadu (PhD)Keskes, Simenew2018-06-292023-11-302018-06-292023-11-302015-03http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/5093A cross-sectional questionnaire survey and focused group discussions were conducted to characterize production systems and reproductive performances of dromedary camels among Afar, Somali and Borana Zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. A total of 299 households were included in the study during the period of October 2011 to March 2013. Husbands dominate in their roles for camel husbandry practices and almost all of them are illiterates. About 68.2%, 98% and 48% of Afar, 24 Somali and Borana pastoralists respectively preferred camels as their first choice over other livestock species kept mainly for milk and meat production as well as transportation. The camel management dominating in the study areas of Afar and Somali regions is traditional nomadic. Mature female camels were dominant and in the camel herd of Somali (54.87%) and Borana (33.8%), but no such numerical data could be found from Afar as they did not want to disclose their herd size. In Afar camels, mean SD age at first calving was 64.7±8.9 months and their calving interval was 31.2±8.7 months. Mean SD age at first calving and calving interval were 62.16±10.44 and 23.28±3.36 months respectively among Somali camels. Among Borana camels 69.6±7.2 months of age at first calving and 28.8 ±5.3 months of calving intervals were recorded. Age at first calving and calving interval could be minimized to a reasonable time by proper husbandry practices and health care. The mean lactation lengths were not statistically different among the three regions. Diseases and predators were reported as the main causes of calf mortality in the study areas. Calf mortality rate could be reduced by preventing predators attack and if other disease prevention and management cares were in place it could also be reduced to minimum. Animal diseases, lack of pasture and security were the main constraints in camel production of the study areas. For the better productivity of camels, the major constraints such as disease problems, lack of pasture and tribal conflicts should be mitigated. Proper husbandry and health services can play significant roles in the long term improvement of camel production and productivity of the region. Taking into account the adaptation of camels in the drought prone area and their productivity potential, policy makers, researchers and funding agencies should give attentions to camel health problems and improve food security in the ever widening desertification in the region. Key Words: Camelus dromedarius, Ethiopia, production system, reproductive performancesenCamelus dromedariusEthiopiaproductionsystemreproductive performancesThesis