Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research
 

Academic Research Journal of Agricultural Science and Research 

Vol. 4(6), pp. 231-240. November, 2016.

ISSN: 2360-7874 

 DOI: 10.14662/ARJASR2016.023

Full Length Research

Review on the Evolution of Forage Seed Production in Ethiopia: Experiences, Constraints and Options

Alemayehu  Mengistu¹,Getnet Assefa², Gezahagn Kebede^3* and Fekede Feyissa³

¹Forage and Rangeland Scientist, Urael Branch, P.O. Box 62291, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

²Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), P. O. Box. 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

³Holetta Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 31, Holetta, Ethiopia

*Corresponding author: gezk2007@yahoo.co.uk

Accepted 8 October 2016

Feed shortages and the poor quality of available feed are the major constraints to increased livestock productivity in Ethiopia. The development of an improved forage crop or improving an existing natural pasture through over-sowing require a reliable source of seed or vegetative planting material of a well adapted species to the targeted area. The objective of a forage seed programme is to make available quality seed or vegetative material that is suited to farmers’ needs for livestock production. In Ethiopia, forage development programmes have been initially started through the introduction of improved forages species that enabled to achieve a significant increase in forage production. However, all too often, insufficient attention was given to ensuring an adequate and sustainable supply of seed of those improved forages. This lack of seed has now been identified as the major constraint to increased forage production that must be seriously considered in order to realize substantial increment in livestock productivity basically through wider utilization of improved forage and pasture crops. Suggested strategy options for forage seed production may include: creation of an incentive to produce forage seeds, farmers based seed production, involvement of Ethiopian Seed Enterprise, local producers and business men and NGOs; and improvement on marketing systems. Recommendations on seed production and marketing detailed in this report are believed to convey important technical, institutional and policy measures to be considered in the effort of achieving sustainable forage seed production in Ethiopia. The recommendations are targeted to achieve not only production of good quality forage seeds, but also to increase forage production in terms of both quality and quantity, that consequently lead to increased livestock productivity.

Key words: constraints and options, development projects, forage crop, seed research, seed yield

How to cite this article: Mengistu A, Assefa G, Kebede G, Feyissa F (2016). Review on the Evolution of Forage Seed Production in Ethiopia: Experiences, Constraints and Options. Acad. Res. J. Agri. Sci. Res. 4(6): 231-240

FULL TEXT [PDF]