Integrating Socio‐Economic and Seasonal Drivers With Feed Innovations to Enhance Smallholder Dairy Production in Gamo and Wolaita Zones, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Smallholder dairy farming in southern Ethiopia, particularly in the Gamo and Wolaita zones, is constrained by seasonal feed shortages, high reliance on costly commercial concentrates, and underutilisation of locally available feed resources. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess how socio-economic and seasonal factors interact with the use of indigenous alternative feeds to enhance dairy productivity. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 264 dairy-producing households (132 per zone), selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and field observations, and analysed using descriptive statistics, two-way ANOVA, and index ranking. RESULTS: The mean household size was 6.12 ± 2.16, and 62.2% of respondents were male. Commercial concentrate use was significantly higher in Gamo (61.6%) than in Wolaita (44.8%) (p < 0.001). Fresh/cut-and-carry feeding practices dominated in Gamo (82.9%), whereas Wolaita farmers preferred mixing alternative feeds with salt or grain (60.8%) (p < 0.001). Key indigenous species such as Vernonia amygdalina showed high preference indices (Gamo: 0.977; Wolaita: 0.985). Seasonal feed availability differed significantly between wet (30.8%) and dry seasons (20.5%) (p = 0.040). Improved animal health was more frequently reported in Wolaita (80.0%) than in Gamo (63.1%) (p = 0.002), while increased milk yield was reported by nearly all farmers (Gamo: 98.8%, Wolaita: 99.6%). Local availability and feeding value were the primary criteria for selecting indigenous fodder, with index values ranging from 0.689 to 0.803. CONCLUSIONS: The study concludes that indigenous feeds hold strong potential to address feed scarcity and enhance dairy productivity. Targeted extension, conservation techniques, and seed dissemination are recommended to strengthen adoption.