Addis Ababa, 15 October 2015 (WIC) – The Borena Zone, in Oromiya Regional State, Pastoralists Development Office said it is consolidating efforts to raise cattle production.
Animal resource development and health protection sub-sector head, Solomon Tekle, told WIC that promising achievements are recorded in species upgrading, animal food supply and animals health protection following in the zone.
Borena Dewlap cattle are well known for their milk and meat products. The zone is collecting significant outcomes in the sector despite the effect of el-nino and cattle disease, he said. Some selected Borena cattle are taken from Ditera Borena Dewlap Improvement and Production Center and are distributed to pastoralists dwelling in ten districts of the zone.
He noted that 39 oxen and 747 heifers are also distributed and breeded in pastoral areas. The amount of milk production, which was 2-4 liters, has now increased to 6 liters; besides the amount meat production increased from 700 to 800 kilograms after breeding.
According to Solomon, the zone has scheduled to increase the number of selected species of Borena Dewlap cattle from 1,500 to 2,000 this fiscal year.
Some hectares of land have been protected from human and animal interference so as to preserve grazing for cattle, he remarked.
“Water shortage is becoming a challenge in the zone and effort to supply water for the pastoralists should be cemented,” Solomon said.
125 veterinary clinics are delivering vaccination and health treatment services in the ten districts of the zone.
80 percent of the pastoralists now have access to animal health treatment services while vaccination for contiguous animal diseases has reached 70 percent, he noted.
Water shortage was the challenge due to the erratic rainfall the area experienced during the last few weeks, but the rainfall distribution now has improved, Solomon said.
The Borena zone is endowed with about 3, 807, 785 cattle, 354, 514 pack animals and 441, 021 hens, Walta learnt.