Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region

Haider Abdo; Emran Temam

doi:doi:10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17

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Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region

Haider Abdo^*

, Emran Temam

Published in Science Futures (Volume 2, Issue 1)

Received: 13 November 2025 Accepted: 8 December 2025 Published: 29 December 2025

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Abstract

One of the primary causes of Ethiopia's poor livestock production performance is an inadequate supply of feed. Besides, its productivity is poor due to low adoption and utilization of improved forages and forage seed production. The objective of this study was to assess constraints and farmers’ perceptions in the production and marketing of improved forage production in the Gummer and Silti districts, Central Ethiopia Region. To collect the data, primary and secondary data sources were used. In addition, 133 sample households were used to collect the data using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the collected data. The study results revealed that about 3.4% of the cropland in the study region was used by the households to grow fodder crops. The two primary enhanced forage crops cultivated in the research region were desho and elephant grass, and they have contributed 60.2% and 33.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that land shortage (56.5%), water scarcity (28.2%), seed scarcity (8.4%), irregular extension service (5.4%), and high cost of forage seed (1.5%) were the main constraints for access to and utilization of forage technology in the study area. Farmers’ perception toward improved production score results indicated that 87.2% of participants were not interested in producing improved forage in full engagement, 56.3% felt improved forage production would compete with crop production, 42.9% decreased soil fertility, and 0.8% of local breeds refused to eat leguminous improved forage species. It needs to improve the land use policy and implementation practices, addressing training, access to forage seed, and extension services. Additionally, working together between agricultural extension and the agricultural research system should help to increase the technology's acceptance and reduce the gap between the government and technology users/farmers.

Published in	Science Futures (Volume 2, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17
Page(s)	76-86
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Constraints, Farmers’ Perception, Marketing, Improved Forage

References

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[2]	CSA, Agricultural Sample Survey: Volume II Report on Livestock and Livestock Characteristics. 2018. Central Statistical Agency (CSA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. https://books.google.com.et/books?hl=en&lr=&id=IrZoDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq
[3]	Birhan, M. and Adugna, T. 2014. Livestock feed resources assessment, constraints and improvement strategies in Ethiopia. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 21(4), pp. 616-622. https://doi.org/10.5829/idosi.mejsr.2014.21.04.82406
[4]	Tegegne, F. and Asefa, G. 2010. Feed Resource Assessment in Amhara Regional State. Ethiopian Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards and Livestock Meat Marketing Program (SPS-LMM), Texas A&M University System. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281087709
[5]	Yayneshet, T. 2010. Feed Resources Availability in tigray region, northern Ethiopia, for production of export quality meat and livestock. Ethiopia Sanitary & Phytosanitary Standards and Livestock & Meat Marketing Program (SPS-LMM) Report. 77pp. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=958424
[6]	Tessema Zewdu, Baars R, Alemu Yami, Dawit N. 2002. In sacco dry matter and nitrogen degradability and their relationship with in- vitro dry matter digestibility of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach) as influenced by plant height at cutting. Australian J. Agric. Research, 53: 7-12. https://doi.org/10.1071/AR01018
[7]	Tessema, Z. and Baars. R. M. T. 2004. Chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility and ruminal degradation of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (L.) Schumach.) mixed with different levels of Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr.). Animal Feed Science and Technology 117: 29-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2004.08.001
[8]	ILRI. 2009. Outcome story, production, and Distribution Networks, Avail forage planting materials to smallholder dairy producers in East Africa.
[9]	FAO. 2018. Ethiopia: Report on feed inventory and feed balance, 2018. Rome, Italy. 160 pages. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. http://www.fao.org/3/ca1718en/CA1718EN.pdf
[10]	Alemayehu Mengistu. 1997. Conservation based forage development for Ethiopia: Institute for Sustainable Development. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/19980707785
[11]	Mapiye C, Mupangwa J F, Mugabe P H, Chikumba N, Poshiwa X and Foti R. 2006. A review of forage legumes research for rangeland improvement in Zimbabwe. Tropical Grasslands 40 in press.
[12]	Yamane, T. 1967. Statistics: An Introductory Analysis, 2nd Ed. New York, Harper and Row. https://OL5538588M
[13]	Mekonnen, H., Dehninet, G., and Kelay, B. 2010. Dairy technology adoption in smallholder farms in “Dejen” district, Ethiopia. Tropl. Anim. Health Prod. 42, 209–216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-009-9408-6
[14]	CSA. 2013. Agricultural Sample Survey, Report on Livestock and Livestock Characteristics (Private peasant holdings). Statistical Bulletin 570. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. https://catalog.ihsn.org/index.php/catalog/7377/related-materials
[15]	Kassahun G., Taye T., Adugna T., Fekadu B., and Solomon D. 2015. Feed resources and livestock production situation in the highland and mid altitude areas of Horro and Guduru districts of Oromia regional state, western Ethiopia, Science, Technology and Arts Research Journal. 4, no. 3, 111–116. https://doi.org/10.4314/star.v4i3.17
[16]	Shiferaw, M., Asmare, B., Tegegne, F. and Molla, D. 2018. Farmer’s perception and utilization status of improved forages grown in the natural resource areas of northwestern Ethiopia. Bio-diversities’ Journal of Biological Diversity, 19(4), pp. 1568-1578. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d190450

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APA Style

Abdo, H., Temam, E. (2025). Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region. Science Futures, 2(1), 76-86. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17

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ACS Style

Abdo, H.; Temam, E. Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region. Sci. Futures 2025, 2(1), 76-86. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17

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AMA Style

Abdo H, Temam E. Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region. Sci Futures. 2025;2(1):76-86. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17

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@article{10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17,
  author = {Haider Abdo and Emran Temam},
  title = {Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region},
  journal = {Science Futures},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {76-86},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scif.20260201.17},
  abstract = {One of the primary causes of Ethiopia's poor livestock production performance is an inadequate supply of feed. Besides, its productivity is poor due to low adoption and utilization of improved forages and forage seed production. The objective of this study was to assess constraints and farmers’ perceptions in the production and marketing of improved forage production in the Gummer and Silti districts, Central Ethiopia Region. To collect the data, primary and secondary data sources were used. In addition, 133 sample households were used to collect the data using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the collected data. The study results revealed that about 3.4% of the cropland in the study region was used by the households to grow fodder crops. The two primary enhanced forage crops cultivated in the research region were desho and elephant grass, and they have contributed 60.2% and 33.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that land shortage (56.5%), water scarcity (28.2%), seed scarcity (8.4%), irregular extension service (5.4%), and high cost of forage seed (1.5%) were the main constraints for access to and utilization of forage technology in the study area. Farmers’ perception toward improved production score results indicated that 87.2% of participants were not interested in producing improved forage in full engagement, 56.3% felt improved forage production would compete with crop production, 42.9% decreased soil fertility, and 0.8% of local breeds refused to eat leguminous improved forage species. It needs to improve the land use policy and implementation practices, addressing training, access to forage seed, and extension services. Additionally, working together between agricultural extension and the agricultural research system should help to increase the technology's acceptance and reduce the gap between the government and technology users/farmers.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region
AU  - Haider Abdo
AU  - Emran Temam
Y1  - 2025/12/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17
T2  - Science Futures
JF  - Science Futures
JO  - Science Futures
SP  - 76
EP  - 86
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17
AB  - One of the primary causes of Ethiopia's poor livestock production performance is an inadequate supply of feed. Besides, its productivity is poor due to low adoption and utilization of improved forages and forage seed production. The objective of this study was to assess constraints and farmers’ perceptions in the production and marketing of improved forage production in the Gummer and Silti districts, Central Ethiopia Region. To collect the data, primary and secondary data sources were used. In addition, 133 sample households were used to collect the data using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the collected data. The study results revealed that about 3.4% of the cropland in the study region was used by the households to grow fodder crops. The two primary enhanced forage crops cultivated in the research region were desho and elephant grass, and they have contributed 60.2% and 33.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that land shortage (56.5%), water scarcity (28.2%), seed scarcity (8.4%), irregular extension service (5.4%), and high cost of forage seed (1.5%) were the main constraints for access to and utilization of forage technology in the study area. Farmers’ perception toward improved production score results indicated that 87.2% of participants were not interested in producing improved forage in full engagement, 56.3% felt improved forage production would compete with crop production, 42.9% decreased soil fertility, and 0.8% of local breeds refused to eat leguminous improved forage species. It needs to improve the land use policy and implementation practices, addressing training, access to forage seed, and extension services. Additionally, working together between agricultural extension and the agricultural research system should help to increase the technology's acceptance and reduce the gap between the government and technology users/farmers.
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Haider Abdo

Agricultural Economics and Gender Research at Worabe Agricultural Research Center, Worabe, Ethiopia

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-7054-1783
Emran Temam

Livestock Technology Multiplication and Seed Research at Worabe Agricultural Research Center, Worabe, Ethiopia

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Abdo, H., Temam, E. (2025). Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region. Science Futures, 2(1), 76-86. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17

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ACS Style

Abdo, H.; Temam, E. Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region. Sci. Futures 2025, 2(1), 76-86. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17

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AMA Style

Abdo H, Temam E. Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region. Sci Futures. 2025;2(1):76-86. doi: 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17

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@article{10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17,
  author = {Haider Abdo and Emran Temam},
  title = {Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region},
  journal = {Science Futures},
  volume = {2},
  number = {1},
  pages = {76-86},
  doi = {10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.scif.20260201.17},
  abstract = {One of the primary causes of Ethiopia's poor livestock production performance is an inadequate supply of feed. Besides, its productivity is poor due to low adoption and utilization of improved forages and forage seed production. The objective of this study was to assess constraints and farmers’ perceptions in the production and marketing of improved forage production in the Gummer and Silti districts, Central Ethiopia Region. To collect the data, primary and secondary data sources were used. In addition, 133 sample households were used to collect the data using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the collected data. The study results revealed that about 3.4% of the cropland in the study region was used by the households to grow fodder crops. The two primary enhanced forage crops cultivated in the research region were desho and elephant grass, and they have contributed 60.2% and 33.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that land shortage (56.5%), water scarcity (28.2%), seed scarcity (8.4%), irregular extension service (5.4%), and high cost of forage seed (1.5%) were the main constraints for access to and utilization of forage technology in the study area. Farmers’ perception toward improved production score results indicated that 87.2% of participants were not interested in producing improved forage in full engagement, 56.3% felt improved forage production would compete with crop production, 42.9% decreased soil fertility, and 0.8% of local breeds refused to eat leguminous improved forage species. It needs to improve the land use policy and implementation practices, addressing training, access to forage seed, and extension services. Additionally, working together between agricultural extension and the agricultural research system should help to increase the technology's acceptance and reduce the gap between the government and technology users/farmers.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Assessment of Constraints and Farmers’ Perception in Production and Marketing of Improved Forages in the Central Ethiopia Region
AU  - Haider Abdo
AU  - Emran Temam
Y1  - 2025/12/29
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17
T2  - Science Futures
JF  - Science Futures
JO  - Science Futures
SP  - 76
EP  - 86
PB  - Science Publishing Group
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.scif.20260201.17
AB  - One of the primary causes of Ethiopia's poor livestock production performance is an inadequate supply of feed. Besides, its productivity is poor due to low adoption and utilization of improved forages and forage seed production. The objective of this study was to assess constraints and farmers’ perceptions in the production and marketing of improved forage production in the Gummer and Silti districts, Central Ethiopia Region. To collect the data, primary and secondary data sources were used. In addition, 133 sample households were used to collect the data using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the collected data. The study results revealed that about 3.4% of the cropland in the study region was used by the households to grow fodder crops. The two primary enhanced forage crops cultivated in the research region were desho and elephant grass, and they have contributed 60.2% and 33.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed that land shortage (56.5%), water scarcity (28.2%), seed scarcity (8.4%), irregular extension service (5.4%), and high cost of forage seed (1.5%) were the main constraints for access to and utilization of forage technology in the study area. Farmers’ perception toward improved production score results indicated that 87.2% of participants were not interested in producing improved forage in full engagement, 56.3% felt improved forage production would compete with crop production, 42.9% decreased soil fertility, and 0.8% of local breeds refused to eat leguminous improved forage species. It needs to improve the land use policy and implementation practices, addressing training, access to forage seed, and extension services. Additionally, working together between agricultural extension and the agricultural research system should help to increase the technology's acceptance and reduce the gap between the government and technology users/farmers.
VL  - 2
IS  - 1
ER  -

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