Socio-economic constraints to strategic sheep fattening: Evidence from the Ethiopian highlands

Shapiro, B.I., Mohamed-Saleem, M.A. and Reynolds, L. 1993. Socio-economic constraints to strategic sheep fattening: Evidence from the Ethiopian highlands. In: Lebbie, S.H.B., Rey, B. and Irungu, E.K. 1993. Small ruminant research and development in Africa: Proceedings of the Second Biennial Conference of the African Small Ruminant Research Network, AICC, Arusha, Tanzania, 7-11 December 1992. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: ILCA and Wageningen, The Netherlands: CTA.

This study provides the economic analysis of on-farm strategic feed trials carried out by ILCA (International Livestock Centre for Africa) since 1985. There is the potential to increase farmers' incomes by strategic feeding to meet the increased demand created by holidays and other occasions. However, the results of the economic analysis show that current feed packages are not economically viable and do not result in profitable strategic feeding.

This study also indicates that a number of socio-economic factors need to be considered in the design of station trials. The potential benefits of including economic considerations at the beginning of on-station research are highlighted.