International Journal of Animal Science, Husbandry and Livestock Production ISSN: 2141-5191 Vol. 6(5)pp. 322-327,  May, 2020. © Advanced Scholars Journals 

Review paper

Review on Characterization of Dairy Cattle Production Systems and Constraints in tropics, in Case of Ethiopia.

Getachew Bekele Fereja*

Department of Animal Production and Technology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resource, Gambella University, PO Box 126, Gambella, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 5 May, 2020.

Abstract 

Livestock perform multiple functions in the Ethiopian economy by providing food, input for crop production and soil fertility management. Therefore, this review was conducted to show characterization of dairy cattle production system and constraints. Although total annual milk production in the country tends to increase, per capita milk consumption tended to decrease, and demand is not yet satisfied. For instance, per capita milk consumption decreased from 19 kg/year in 1980 to 17kg in 1993 and below 15kg in 2000 despite the estimated increase in annual growth rate in milk production from 1.7% during the period 1980-1993 to about 2.2% during the period 1994-2000. Inability to feed animals adequately throughout the year is the most widespread phenomenon. The most serious animal disease constraints to livestock productivity are the parasitic and viral diseases mainly vector-transmitted that have a wide geographic distribution and whose severities are strongly influenced by the environment. There are four major dairy production systems. The main source of milk in Ethiopia is the cow, constitute 83.4% of the total annual milk output.

Key word: Constraints, Dairy, Ethiopia, Milk, Production systems.