A Review on Some Management and Improvement Practices of Natural Pasture in the Mid and High Altitude Areas of Ethiopia

2016-05-02T00-23-08Z
Source: International Journal of Livestock Research
Gezahagn Kebede, Getnet Assefa, Fekede Feyissa, Almayehu Mengistu.
The total grazing and browsing lands are steadily shrinking due to encroachment of crop production as a consequence of the growing human population in Ethiopia. The productivity from grazing land is insufficient for optimal livestock production. Grazing land management, fertilizer application, over-sowing of legumes, optimum harvesting stage, feed conservation and utilization are important practices to improve the productivity of natural pasture and used to maintain the nutritive values of the pastures over seasons. Poor production of pasture lands and large herd size on small grazing lands caused overgrazing of natural pasturelands resulting in serious land degradation which in turn leads to invasion by unpalatable plant species and finally a decline in the quantity and quality of pasture. Application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on natural pasture generally showed very good yield responses and have a great effect on botanical composition and quality of pasture species. Over-sowing of legumes on natural pasture can improve the productivity and quality of the pasture throughout the year. There is a need for developing the feed conservation strategy during the period of abundant supply so as to redistribute the feed supply over the year to meet the requirements of livestock across seasons. There are many proven best practices and technologies available locally and globally, therefore, application of these technologies and intensifying the use of natural pasture is quite important to reverse the scenario of poor animal productivity in Ethiopia.


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