Report on ToT organized for public extension livestock experts in Aksum
Background
In Tigray, the need to improve the productivity and marketability of livestock and their products has been increasing from time to time. This is reflected by the commitment of the regional government to increase the required resources to the livestock sector. For example, the number of crossbred cows produced using regular AI and synchronization has increased by 32 folds, the distribution of exotic chicken by 7.8 folds, and improved frame hives by 10.5 folds over just 10 years period. Similarly, the number of sheep and goats fattened has increased substantially. Moreover, the regional government has also approved a new organizational structure with the Bureau of Agriculture and that a separate livestock agency is being developed to its full level.
Despite such investments, the role of livestock extension staff remains traditional and has not kept pace with the requirements of market oriented livestock development. There is no regular training on technical aspects of improved livestock management and marketing, use of modern inputs and output marketing. The scope of extension staff to address farmers’ knowledge and capacity gaps on livestock feeding, breeding (Including successful artificial insemination), reproduction and grazing land management remains low and not up-to-date.
The training was held from January 21-25, 2015 at Consular International Hotel in Aksum, and addressed four commodities (apiculture, dairy, poultry and small ruminants). Key themes of the training included the following:
- Essential microorganisms (EM): History and current application in the world; EM use in livestock; Specific procedures for using EM in livestock feeds (Bokashi, straw and stover)
- Apiculture: Seasonal beehive management; feeding strategies during normal and dearth periods; bee disease and pest management; hive products (honey and beeswax) handling and storage.
- Dairy: Feeding strategies for calves, heifers and lactating and dry cows; body condition and fertility management of cows and heifers; reproduction (current synchronization practices in Tigrai and the need to improve it) and breeding (AI); milk quality handling (including mastitis and milk fever prevention and management).
- Poultry: Management of day old, pullet and layers; feeding strategies for different age birds; poultry diseases (commonly reported in the central zone) and available vaccines
- Small ruminants: Feeding strategies for lambs/kids, growers and lactating ewes/does; reproduction and synchronization in sheep; community based sheep breeding (with examples from Ethiopia).
The training was organized with the following learning objectives:
- Effectively apply the use of essential microorganisms to improving livestock feeds (dairy, poultry and small ruminants)
- Improve the capacity to manage reproduction and breeding in targeted livestock species (cattle and small ruminants)
- Formulate balanced complete ration for ruminant (dairy cattle and small ruminants) and monogastric (poultry) livestock
- Improve the use of AI and synchronization techniques in increasing crossbred dairy cows
- Improve honey quantity and quality
- deliver market oriented livestock extension services for smallholder livestock keepers
The training was held in Aksum from January 21-25, 2015 using facilities provided by Consolar International Hotel and attended by 34 participants (M=32; F=2).
The training was facilitated by LIVES regional livestock expert and zonal coordinators. The facilitation process was fully participatory included a pre-training identification of major gaps hindering the realization of market oriented livestock development in the two LIVES action zones. This was followed by a clear understanding by higher level decision making bodies such as the regional livestock and health coordinator, zonal and district administrators, and heads of each district’sOffice of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Introduction session
The training begun by highlighting unique capacity development approach of LIVES, and the specific commodities being addressed in each zone. This was followed by a brief reminder on commodity specific visions set during the zonal workshops in February 2013.Participants were then introduced themselves by explaining their specific area of expertise and experiences gained. Each participant was requested to reveal the expectations from each training topic and filled in a pre-and post-training evaluations, and briefed about housekeeping rules so that the training process can go without interruption. Side comments given during the training were immediately dealt with in so far as capacity of the facilitators permit. Scheduled training topics were delivered within the allocated time. The facilitation process included opening the forum for discussion, paraphrasing comments forwarded, and adding humours. Participants formed small groups and discussed key issues that needed further actions. These included the use of essential microorganisms (EM) stock in livestock feeding and means of creating sustained stock supply and improving the current livestock management skills of smallholder farmers through training and experience sharing visits. Participants also involved in a hands-on practical session on using EM for treating wheat bran and making Bokashi, EM treatment of barley straw and sorghum stover and feeding to cows and sheep, visited smallholder dairy and sheep farms (with clear written instructions) and presented their assessment of current herd management, exercised Preg-tone for determining doe pregnancy status. All issues raised during the training were properly documented by zonal coordinators.
An overview of the training program included the following:
- Day 1: Presentations on apiculture: feeding strategies, preparation of seasonal beehive activity calendar; dealing with beehives diseases and pests; honey quality.
- Day 2-Morning: Presentations on diary feeding and management of calves, heifers and cows; fertility management; lactation curve; feeding and rearing of calves and replacement heifers; nutritional needed of dry pregnant and lactation cows; the dairy hub approach as successfully implemented in Kenya.
- Day 2-Afternoon: history of essential microorganisms (EM); application of EM in crops, waste management, and livestock; use of EM in improving low quality feeds and preparation of Bokashi; Practical session on treating wheat bran (20 kg), barley straw (20 kg), sorghum stover (20 kg) with EM solution.
- Day 3: Dairy reproduction and breeding: Current performance indicators of AI in Tigrai; alternative suggestions for synchronizing cows (based on the on-going student research); reproductive managementand the use of HormonostMicrolabfarmerstest kit.
- Day 4: Poultry (only for participants from the central zone): Poultry feeding and housing, hatchery management; diseases management and vaccination.
- Day 4: Small ruminants (only for participants from the eastern zone): Projected red meat demand in Ethiopia’s livestock master plan; nutritional management; reproduction and the use of prostaglandin based synchronization (application of Preg-Tone). Community based sheep breeding.
- Day 5: Action plan preparation and presentations (sample districts); way forward for livestock demonstration technologies; identifying agents for distributing EM stock
A detail description of the training program is given in annex 2.
Presentations and discussions
Power point and flip chart presentations were used during the ToT.
Apiculture: Power point presentations on apiculture included preparation of seasonal beehive activities including feeding, biological, management and environmental calendars. Major pests and diseases of honeybees and controlling strategies, feeding strategies during dearth periods, and hive product quality issues. Trainees prepared flowering calendar of major bee flora of their respective districts and discussed the practicability of such calendar by farmers. Adulteration of honey, uncontrolled use of pesticides in irrigated areas, and the introduction of new strains of small sized hives from other areas were discussed at length. They suggested that strengthening regulatory bodies and improving their capacity to identify adulterated honey; introducing honey marketing through recognized bodies such as cooperatives and creating critical mass who can control honey quality; increasing awareness through wider media coverage and working with private honey processing and exporting companies were some of the suggested solutions to improve the current problems on adulterated honey.
Dairy: presentations on dairy included feed resources and their approximate energy concentration and protein content, feeding strategies for calves and growing heifers, pregnant lactating/dry cows and lactating cows; fertility management and body condition manipulation, and the dairy hub approach. Participants visited two dairy farms (one representing peri-urban and the other in a rural area) and presented their assessment of the two farms. The group in the peri-urban dairy tried to look at the whole dairy farm business and came up with crude profitability of the farm. The second group addressed a rural dairy farm and identified a number of management issues such as labour allocation, efficient use of land for producing own forage, market linkages with consumers.
Poultry: The presentations on poultry focused on locally available feeds and commercial ration marketed by Mekelle Farms, feeding strategies for different classes of birds, housing options-including internal facilities and spacing, hatchery management, major diseases and available vaccines.
Small ruminants:feed resources for growing and breeding sheep and goats; feeding of lambs, fattening stock and lactating ewes/does, the use of synchronization and community based sheep breeding. Participants also tested Preg-Tone to minimize risks associated with prostaglandin based synchronization protocols in small ruminants.
EM: The use of EM in livestock, crops and environment, evolution of EM technology, safety issues, use of EM in livestock and poultry, steps for using EM in treating low quality feeds and making bokashi. Trainees took part in a half-day practical session and treated barley straw, sorghum stover and wheat bran using EM solutions. Questions raised by the ToT participants included safety issues, legal permission for importing EM and sustained supply to smallholder farmers. EM is completely natural made from lactobacilli, yeasts, and phototropic bacteria and so far no major concern is reported from over 140 countries who permitted its use. Ethiopia has formally recognized and permitted the use of EM. Ensuring sustained supply of EM stock is a major concern that needs the attention of public and private sector. Using unions and cooperatives as well as private companies as EM distributing agents were suggested by the trainees.
Pre and post training evaluations
Results of the pre and post training evaluations for each learning topic are indicated in the following figures. Before the training, the majority of the trainees in dairy development had an average knowledge of the seven learning objectives included in the ToT. This was improved to good and very good after the training (Fig. 1). Similarly, trainees’ knowledge of apiculture as evaluated using 5 learning objectives was improved from average to good, very good and excellent (Fig. 2). The proportion of learners who had average knowledge about poultry (Fig. 3) and small ruminants(Fig. 4) was also improved to above average ratings after the training. A clear reversing of the ratings of about knowledge of trainees on EM use was observed, and most scored an excellent after the training (Fig. 5)
Figure 1. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of dairy before and after training.
Figure 2. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of apiculture before and after training.
Figure 3. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of poultry before and after training.
Figure 4. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of small ruminants before and after training.
Figure 5. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of EM use before and after training.
Next steps/Follow up action plans
Finally, trainees agreed to develop a detailed district level action plans (see annex 3) and promised to provide similar training for smallholder farmers. They feared that high decision making officials may not be willing to allocate sufficient time for livestock related activities including intensive training of smallholder farmers, and this will be discussed further with each district’s heads of the Office of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as district administrators.
Annexes
- Annex 1: List of participants in the ToT for district livestock experts
January 21-25, 2015, Aksum
SN / Name / Sex / Profession / DistrictGebre-Kiros Gebre-Selama / M / Livestock coordinator / Atsbi-Womberta
Bahlen Gebremicael / F / Forage / Atsbi-Womberta
Mulugeta Gebretsadik / M / Breeding / Atsbi-Womberta
Tesfay Gebru / M / Livestock coordinator / Kilte-Awlaelo
Muez Legesse / M / Forage / Kilte-Awlaelo
Teame Hailu / M / Apiculture / Kilte-Awlaelo
Fikreselassie Kebede / M / Breeding / Kilte-Awlaelo
Haileselassie Gidey / M / Livestock coordinator / Saesie-Tsaeda Emba
Gidey Tesfamicael / M / Apiculture / Saesie-Tsaeda Emba
Mebrehit Gebrehiwot / F / Forage / Saesie-Tsaeda Emba
MuluMehari / M / Breeding / Saesie-Tsaeda Emba
GebrecherkosGebremeskel / M / Livestock coordinator / GantaAfeshum
TsegabuGebrekidan / M / Apiculture / GantaAfeshum
Shambel Gidey / M / Breeding / GantaAfeshum
MeseretGebre-giorgis / F / Forage / GantaAfeshum
AtakiltyArefe / M / Zonal expert / Eastern Zone
GebremedhinGirmay / M / Livestock coordinator / Ahferom
SahleGebreselassie / M / Forage / Ahferom
Tesfay Halefom / M / Breeding / Ahferom
AkliluMezgebe / M / Poultry / Ahferom
TeklewoinyGebrerufael / M / Apiculture / Ahferom
Negashmohammed / M / Livestock coordinator / Adwa
SeifuTadesse / M / Poultry / Adwa
Gebrehiwot Addissu / M / Apiculture / Adwa
Gebrehiwot Gebremicael / M / Breeding / Adwa
HawariaWeres / M / Forage / Adwa
LeakeTesfamariam / M / Livestock coordinator / Laelay Maichew
Mulu Gebrehiwot / M / Poultry / Laelay Maichew
AlemayehuGebrekristos / M / Forage / Laelay Maichew
AlemSebhat / M / Apiculture / Laelay Maichew
TeklegiorgisAssefa / M / Zonal livestock expert / Central Zone
GetachewTeklehaimanot / M / Regional forage expert / Region
MussieGirmay / M / Regional breeding expert / Region
GebreselassieHagos / M / Regional poultry expert / Region
- Annex 2: ToT program
Date / Time / Event / Facilitator
January 21, 2015: Feed Improvement / 8:00-8:30 / Registration / Amare
8:30-9:00 / Introduction and gap identification questionnaire / Yayneshet
9:00-10:30 / EM use for improving fibrous feeds / Gedion
10:30-11:00 / Health break / LIVES
11:00-12:30 / EM use for improving fibrous feeds / Gedion
12:30-14:00 / Lunch / Self
14:00-15:30 / Practical demonstration / Gedion/Dawit/Haile/Yayneshet
15:30-16:00 / Health break / LIVES
16:00-17:30 / Practical demonstration / Gedion/Dawit/Haile/Yayneshet
17:30-18:30 / Discussion/Feedback/action plan / Yayneshet
January 21, 2015: Apiculture / 8:00-830 / Registration / Amare
8:30-9:00 / Introduction and gap identification questionnaire / Dawit/Haile
9:00-10:30 / Honeybee feeding strategies / Haftom/Guesh
10:30-11:00 / Health break / LIVES
11:00-12:30 / Honeybee pests and diseases; seasonal colony management / Haftom/Guesh
12:30-14:00 / Lunch / Self
14:00-15:30 / Queen rearing and management / Haftom/Guesh
15:30-16:00 / Health break / LIVES
16:00-17:30 / Hive product handling/quality control (Honey and beeswax) / Haftom/Guesh
17:30-18:30 / Discussion/Feedback/action plan / Yayneshet
January 22, 2015: Feed Improvement / 8:30-9:00 / Introduction and gap identification questionnaire / Yayneshet
9:00-10:30 / EM use for improving fibrous feeds / Gedion
10:30-11:00 / Health break / LIVES
11:00-12:30 / EM use for improving fibrous feeds / Gedion
12:30-14:00 / Lunch / Self
14:00-15:30 / Practical demonstration / Gedion/Dawit/Haile/Yayneshet
15:30-16:00 / Health break / LIVES
16:00-17:30 / Practical demonstration / Gedion/Dawit/Haile/Yayneshet
17:30-18:30 / Discussion/Feedback/action plan / Yayneshet
January 23, 2015: Dairy Management / 8:30-9:00 / Gap identification questionnaire / Dawit/Haile
9:00-10:30 / Feeding of calves and replacement heifers, dry pregnant and lactating cows / Yayneshet
10:30-11:00 / Health break / LIVES
11:00-12:30 / Reproductive management / Tadesse/Desta-Alem
12:30-14:00 / Lunch / Self
14:00-15:30 / Reproductive management / Tadesse/Desta-Alem
15:30-16:00 / Health break / LIVES
16:00-17:30 / Milk handling and processing / Haftom
17:30-18:30 / Discussion/Feedback/action plan / Yayneshet
January 24, 2015: Poultry Management (parallel session) / 8:30-9:00 / Gap identification questionnaire / Haile
9:00-10:30 / Feeding and day old chicks, pullets, and layers / Bruh/Mekelle Farm
10:30-11:00 / Health break / LIVES
11:00-12:30 / Poultry housing designs / Bruh
12:30-14:00 / Lunch / Self
14:00-15:30 / Poultry diseases management / Mekelle Farm
15:30-16:00 / Health break / LIVES
16:00-17:30 / Hatchery management / Bruh
17:30-18:30 / Discussion/Feedback/action plan / Haile/Bruh
January 24, 2015: Small ruminant management (parallel session) / 8:30-9:00 / Gap identification questionnaire / Dawit
9:00-10:30 / Small ruminant feeding strategies / Yayneshet
10:30-11:00 / Health break / LIVES
11:00-12:30 / Small ruminant feeding strategies / Yayneshet
12:30-14:00 / Lunch / Self
14:00-15:30 / Reproductive management / Yayneshet
15:30-16:00 / Health break / LIVES
16:00-17:30 / Community based sheep breeding / Yayneshet
17:30-18:30 / Discussion/Feedback/action plan / Yayneshet/Dawit
January 25, 2015: / Whole day / Action plan preparation and presentation; Demonstration materials use; identifying potential EM suppliers/agents / Yayneshet/Dawit/Haile
1
- Annex 3: Sample action plans
Ahferom
Apiculture
S/n / Activities / Participant no / Why /purpose / How /Method / When/Time frame / With whom? / Support needed /from whom / Materials needed1 / Training / To improve the production and productivity of honey and honeybees on small-scale farmers in related market linkage system
To create and support available service for the farmers / Theoretical and video supported
Two way learning system
Group desiccation on phenomena
Experience sharing on best farms
Practical on field / February 18-20/2015 / LIVES / LIVES
Research center / Manual (cd ppt)
Stationery
Honey container
Re fractometer
farmers / 30
Bee technician / 3
DAs / 3
2 / Training activities
2.1 / Honeybee feeding strategies
2.2 / Honeybee pest and diseases
2.3 / Seasonal colony management
2.5 / Beekeeping on transitional hive
3
NB;- Facilitator and trainers #1
Dairy
S/n / Activities / Participant no / Why /purpose / How /Method / When/Time frame / With whom? / Support needed /from whom / Materials needed1 / Training / To improve the production and productivity of dairy caws on small-scale farmers in related market linkage system
To improve Ingenious breed
To create and support available Extension service for the farmers / Theoretical and video supported
Two way learning system
Group desiccation on phenomena
Experience sharing on best farms
Practical on field / Februar22-224/2015 / LIVES
BOARD
Woreda and tabia Administrator
Input supply / LIVES
Research Center / Lactometer
Manual (cd ppt)
Stationery
6 litter EM
16 litter molasses
80kg wheat bran
2m*2m Plastic sheet
20 kg urea
8 Bucket
Farmers / 40
AI technician / 2
Animal health assistance / 4
Das / 3
Cooperative /union / 1
2 / Training activities
2.1 / Feeding heifer ,lactating caw, calves
2.2 / Housing management
2.3 / Feed implementing using EM and urea treatment
2.4 / Vaccination and treatment calendar
2.5 / AI calendar
3 / 40litter EM introducing to the farmers and implementing the each farmer
Poultry