Smallholder Dairy Production Technology Transfer and Adoption Constraints in Mixed Farming System in Girar Jarso Woreda of North Shoa Zone Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

摘要

This study was carried out from September 2006 to April 2007 in four Kebeles’ of Girar-Jarso Woreda, North Shoa zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia to assess productive performance of dairy cows and technology use in 200 randomly selected market-oriented smallholder dairy farms. A structured questionnaire survey, farm visit, and PA discussion were conducted during the study. The overall mean family size of respondents in this study was 5.77+2.35 persons. The average number of economically active family members (greater than 15 years old) was 2.44 persons (1.20 ± 1.25 male and 1.24 ± 1.33 female). The average number of livestock owned by the respondent farmers was 16.65 ± 7.11animals or 9.47 TLU. Dairy cows constituted the highest proportion of the herd followed by draft oxen. Crossbred dairy cows represented the highest proportion of the cattle herd composition with the mean value of 1.83 (22.7%). There was statistically significant difference between crossbred and value of 1.83 (22.7%). There was statistically significant difference between crossbred and indigenous cattle in all production and reproduction performance parameters assessed (p 0.05) probability level. As expected, sex is positively and is statistically significant (p < 0.05) for all technologies identified and adopted in the area. According to the survey result characteristics of the household head (84%) and source of information (68.5%) were the most frequent factors that influence the decisions of the household to choice new technologies.