Analysis of the sheep value chain in Sinana district of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

BackgroundSmall ruminant population of Ethiopia, including expert estimates of the pastoral areas, is about 66 million heads of which about 35 million is sheep (Negassa et al., 2011).However, the livestock subsector's contribution to the economy and foreign currency earnings in particular, is very low.Some of the major factors contributing to the poor performance of the livestock sub-sector include widely scattered and non-market oriented livestock production systems, lack of an efficient and effective livestock marketing system, poor market infrastructure, lack of proper transport services, and limited capacity to meet international standards by producers and marketers.Livestock systems represent a potential pathway out of poverty for many smallholders in the developing world.The majority of the world's rural poor, and a significant proportion of the urban poor, keep livestock and use them in a variety of ways that extend far beyond income generation.In many cases, livestock are a central component of smallholder risk management strategies.The economic contribution of the livestock sub-sector in Ethiopia is also about 12% of the total and 33% of agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides livelihood for 65% of the population.The Bale highlands are known for their high potential of livestock-crop mixed farming system.Small ruminants among the livestock system play important role in boosting the economy of smallholder farmers in the zone.This study was conducted in Sinana district of Bale zone by Sinana Agricultural Research Center in collaboration with ILRI and ICARDA.The study objectives were:  To identify the natural, technical, financial, legal and institutional opportunities and barriers that influence sheep value chain  To evaluate whether improvements can be made by improving systems from production through to the final consumer  To document important elements and modalities of market strategies to develop sheep value chain. To suggest key intervention areas for development practitioners and policy action. Materials and MethodsBesides primary data collection from producers and consumers, general information about the production potential, marketing channels, marketing functions and constraints were assessed through the intensive focused group discussions (FGD) and key informant interviews (KII) using a detailed checklist prepared for this purpose.FGD and KII were made with groups and key informants (knowledgeable people) on the subject in the study areas.Two FGD were conducted with two groups of farmers (14-17 each) in two peasant associations Selka and Sambitu.A total of 31 participants which includes 26 men and 5 women were included in the FGD.Farmers included in FGD were mainly selected on based on their engagement in sheep production activities.The key informants identified for this interview were experts of livestock development agency, livestock marketing, livestock extension, animal health, different size traders, export abattoirs, feed traders, owners of private vet drug shops, butchers and hotel owners.Data collected through FGD and KII were analyzed using thematic analysis approach.Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques.