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Report on ToT organized for public extension livestock experts in Aksum

Background

In Tigray, the need to improve the productivity and marketability of livestock and their products has been increasing from time to time. This is reflected by the commitment of the regional government to increase the required resources to the livestock sector. For example, the number of crossbred cows produced using regular AI and synchronization has increased by 32 folds, the distribution of exotic chicken by 7.8 folds, and improved frame hives by 10.5 folds over just 10 years period. Similarly, the number of sheep and goats fattened has increased substantially. Moreover, the regional government has also approved a new organizational structure with the Bureau of Agriculture and that a separate livestock agency is being developed to its full level.

Despite such investments, the role of livestock extension staff remains traditional and has not kept pace with the requirements of market oriented livestock development. There is no regular training on technical aspects of improved livestock management and marketing, use of modern inputs and output marketing. The scope of extension staff to address farmers’ knowledge and capacity gaps on livestock feeding, breeding (Including successful artificial insemination), reproduction and grazing land management remains low and not up-to-date.

The training was held from January 21-25, 2015 at Consular International Hotel in Aksum, and addressed four commodities (apiculture, dairy, poultry and small ruminants). Key themes of the training included the following:

1. Essential microorganisms (EM): History and current application in the world; EM use in livestock; Specific procedures for using EM in livestock feeds (Bokashi, straw and stover)

2. Apiculture: Seasonal beehive management; feeding strategies during normal and dearth periods; bee disease and pest management; hive products (honey and beeswax) handling and storage.

3. Dairy: Feeding strategies for calves, heifers and lactating and dry cows; body condition and fertility management of cows and heifers; reproduction (current synchronization practices in Tigrai and the need to improve it) and breeding (AI); milk quality handling (including mastitis and milk fever prevention and management).

4. Poultry: Management of day old, pullet and layers; feeding strategies for different age birds; poultry diseases (commonly reported in the central zone) and available vaccines

5. Small ruminants: Feeding strategies for lambs/kids, growers and lactating ewes/does; reproduction and synchronization in sheep; community based sheep breeding (with examples from Ethiopia).

The training was organized with the following learning objectives:

1. Effectively apply the use of essential microorganisms to improving livestock feeds (dairy, poultry and small ruminants)

2. Improve the capacity to manage reproduction and breeding in targeted livestock species (cattle and small ruminants)

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3. Formulate balanced complete ration for ruminant (dairy cattle and small ruminants) and monogastric (poultry) livestock

4. Improve the use of AI and synchronization techniques in increasing crossbred dairy cows5. Improve honey quantity and quality6. deliver market oriented livestock extension services for smallholder livestock keepers

The training was held in Aksum from January 21-25, 2015 using facilities provided by Consolar International Hotel and attended by 34 participants (M=32; F=2).

The training was facilitated by LIVES regional livestock expert and zonal coordinators. The facilitation process was fully participatory included a pre-training identification of major gaps hindering the realization of market oriented livestock development in the two LIVES action zones. This was followed by a clear understanding by higher level decision making bodies such as the regional livestock and health coordinator, zonal and district administrators, and heads of each district’s Office of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Introduction session

The training begun by highlighting unique capacity development approach of LIVES, and the specific commodities being addressed in each zone. This was followed by a brief reminder on commodity specific visions set during the zonal workshops in February 2013. Participants were then introduced themselves by explaining their specific area of expertise and experiences gained. Each participant was requested to reveal the expectations from each training topic and filled in a pre-and post-training evaluations, and briefed about housekeeping rules so that the training process can go without interruption. Side comments given during the training were immediately dealt with in so far as capacity of the facilitators permit. Scheduled training topics were delivered within the allocated time. The facilitation process included opening the forum for discussion, paraphrasing comments forwarded, and adding humours. Participants formed small groups and discussed key issues that needed further actions. These included the use of essential microorganisms (EM) stock in livestock feeding and means of creating sustained stock supply and improving the current livestock management skills of smallholder farmers through training and experience sharing visits. Participants also involved in a hands-on practical session on using EM for treating wheat bran and making Bokashi, EM treatment of barley straw and sorghum stover and feeding to cows and sheep, visited smallholder dairy and sheep farms (with clear written instructions) and presented their assessment of current herd management, exercised Preg-tone for determining doe pregnancy status. All issues raised during the training were properly documented by zonal coordinators.

An overview of the training program included the following:

Day 1: Presentations on apiculture: feeding strategies, preparation of seasonal beehive activity calendar; dealing with beehives diseases and pests; honey quality.

Day 2-Morning: Presentations on diary feeding and management of calves, heifers and cows; fertility management; lactation curve; feeding and rearing of calves and replacement heifers; nutritional needed of dry pregnant and lactation cows; the dairy hub approach as successfully implemented in Kenya.

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Day 2-Afternoon: history of essential microorganisms (EM); application of EM in crops, waste management, and livestock; use of EM in improving low quality feeds and preparation of Bokashi; Practical session on treating wheat bran (20 kg), barley straw (20 kg), sorghum stover (20 kg) with EM solution.

Day 3: Dairy reproduction and breeding: Current performance indicators of AI in Tigrai; alternative suggestions for synchronizing cows (based on the on-going student research); reproductive management and the use of Hormonost Microlab farmerstest kit.

Day 4: Poultry (only for participants from the central zone): Poultry feeding and housing, hatchery management; diseases management and vaccination.

Day 4: Small ruminants (only for participants from the eastern zone): Projected red meat demand in Ethiopia’s livestock master plan; nutritional management; reproduction and the use of prostaglandin based synchronization (application of Preg-Tone). Community based sheep breeding.

Day 5: Action plan preparation and presentations (sample districts); way forward for livestock demonstration technologies; identifying agents for distributing EM stock

A detail description of the training program is given in annex 2.

Presentations and discussions

Power point and flip chart presentations were used during the ToT.

Apiculture: Power point presentations on apiculture included preparation of seasonal beehive activities including feeding, biological, management and environmental calendars. Major pests and diseases of honeybees and controlling strategies, feeding strategies during dearth periods, and hive product quality issues. Trainees prepared flowering calendar of major bee flora of their respective districts and discussed the practicability of such calendar by farmers. Adulteration of honey, uncontrolled use of pesticides in irrigated areas, and the introduction of new strains of small sized hives from other areas were discussed at length. They suggested that strengthening regulatory bodies and improving their capacity to identify adulterated honey; introducing honey marketing through recognized bodies such as cooperatives and creating critical mass who can control honey quality; increasing awareness through wider media coverage and working with private honey processing and exporting companies were some of the suggested solutions to improve the current problems on adulterated honey.

Dairy: presentations on dairy included feed resources and their approximate energy concentration and protein content, feeding strategies for calves and growing heifers, pregnant lactating/dry cows and lactating cows; fertility management and body condition manipulation, and the dairy hub approach. Participants visited two dairy farms (one representing peri-urban and the other in a rural area) and presented their assessment of the two farms. The group in the peri-urban dairy tried to look at the whole dairy farm business and came up with crude profitability of the farm. The second group addressed a rural dairy farm and identified a number of management issues such as labour allocation, efficient use of land for producing own forage, market linkages with consumers.

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Poultry: The presentations on poultry focused on locally available feeds and commercial ration marketed by Mekelle Farms, feeding strategies for different classes of birds, housing options-including internal facilities and spacing, hatchery management, major diseases and available vaccines.

Small ruminants: feed resources for growing and breeding sheep and goats; feeding of lambs, fattening stock and lactating ewes/does, the use of synchronization and community based sheep breeding. Participants also tested Preg-Tone to minimize risks associated with prostaglandin based synchronization protocols in small ruminants.

EM: The use of EM in livestock, crops and environment, evolution of EM technology, safety issues, use of EM in livestock and poultry, steps for using EM in treating low quality feeds and making bokashi. Trainees took part in a half-day practical session and treated barley straw, sorghum stover and wheat bran using EM solutions. Questions raised by the ToT participants included safety issues, legal permission for importing EM and sustained supply to smallholder farmers. EM is completely natural made from lactobacilli, yeasts, and phototropic bacteria and so far no major concern is reported from over 140 countries who permitted its use. Ethiopia has formally recognized and permitted the use of EM. Ensuring sustained supply of EM stock is a major concern that needs the attention of public and private sector. Using unions and cooperatives as well as private companies as EM distributing agents were suggested by the trainees.

Pre and post training evaluations

Results of the pre and post training evaluations for each learning topic are indicated in the following figures. Before the training, the majority of the trainees in dairy development had an average knowledge of the seven learning objectives included in the ToT. This was improved to good and very good after the training (Fig. 1). Similarly, trainees’ knowledge of apiculture as evaluated using 5 learning objectives was improved from average to good, very good and excellent (Fig. 2). The proportion of learners who had average knowledge about poultry (Fig. 3) and small ruminants (Fig. 4) was also improved to above average ratings after the training. A clear reversing of the ratings of about knowledge of trainees on EM use was observed, and most scored an excellent after the training (Fig. 5)

Figure 1. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of dairy before and after training.

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Figure 2. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of apiculture before and after training.

Figure 3. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of poultry before and after training.

Figure 4. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of small ruminants before and after training.

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Figure 5. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of EM use before and after training.

Next steps/Follow up action plans

Finally, trainees agreed to develop a detailed district level action plans (see annex 3) and promised to provide similar training for smallholder farmers. They feared that high decision making officials may not be willing to allocate sufficient time for livestock related activities including intensive training of smallholder farmers, and this will be discussed further with each district’s heads of the Office of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as district administrators.

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Annexes

1. Annex 1: List of participants in the ToT for district livestock experts

January 21-25, 2015, Aksum

SN Name Sex Profession District

1. Gebre-Kiros Gebre-Selama M Livestock coordinator Atsbi-Womberta

2. Bahlen Gebremicael F Forage Atsbi-Womberta

3. Mulugeta Gebretsadik M Breeding Atsbi-Womberta

4. Tesfay Gebru M Livestock coordinator Kilte-Awlaelo

5. Muez Legesse M Forage Kilte-Awlaelo

6. Teame Hailu M Apiculture Kilte-Awlaelo

7. Fikreselassie Kebede M Breeding Kilte-Awlaelo

8. Haileselassie Gidey M Livestock coordinator Saesie-Tsaeda Emba

9. Gidey Tesfamicael M Apiculture Saesie-Tsaeda Emba

10. Mebrehit Gebrehiwot F Forage Saesie-Tsaeda Emba

11. Mulu Mehari M Breeding Saesie-Tsaeda Emba

12. Gebrecherkos Gebremeskel M Livestock coordinator Ganta Afeshum

13. Tsegabu Gebrekidan M Apiculture Ganta Afeshum

14. Shambel Gidey M Breeding Ganta Afeshum

15. Meseret Gebre-giorgis F Forage Ganta Afeshum

16. Atakilty Arefe M Zonal expert Eastern Zone

17. Gebremedhin Girmay M Livestock coordinator Ahferom

18. Sahle Gebreselassie M Forage Ahferom

19. Tesfay Halefom M Breeding Ahferom

20. Aklilu Mezgebe M Poultry Ahferom

21. Teklewoiny Gebrerufael M Apiculture Ahferom

22. Negash mohammed M Livestock coordinator Adwa

23. Seifu Tadesse M Poultry Adwa

24. Gebrehiwot Addissu M Apiculture Adwa

25. Gebrehiwot Gebremicael M Breeding Adwa

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26. Hawaria Weres M Forage Adwa

27. Leake Tesfamariam M Livestock coordinator Laelay Maichew

28. Mulu Gebrehiwot M Poultry Laelay Maichew

29. Alemayehu Gebrekristos M Forage Laelay Maichew

30. Alem Sebhat M Apiculture Laelay Maichew

31. Teklegiorgis Assefa M Zonal livestock expert Central Zone

32. Getachew Teklehaimanot M Regional forage expert Region

33. Mussie Girmay M Regional breeding expert Region

34. Gebreselassie Hagos M Regional poultry expert Region

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2. Annex 2: ToT program

Date Time Event Facilitator

January 21, 2015: Feed Improvement

8:00-8:30 Registration Amare

8:30-9:00 Introduction and gap identification questionnaire

Yayneshet

9:00-10:30 EM use for improving fibrous feeds

Gedion

10:30-11:00 Health break LIVES


Gedion

12:30-14:00 Lunch Self

14:00-15:30 Practical demonstration Gedion/Dawit/Haile/Yayneshet



17:30-18:30 Discussion/Feedback/action plan Yayneshet

January 21, 2015: Apiculture

8:00-830 Registration Amare


Dawit/Haile

9:00-10:30 Honeybee feeding strategies Haftom/Guesh


11:00-12:30 Honeybee pests and diseases; seasonal colony management

Haftom/Guesh


14:00-15:30 Queen rearing and management Haftom/Guesh


16:00-17:30 Hive product handling/quality Haftom/Guesh

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control (Honey and beeswax)


January 22, 2015: Feed Improvement


Yayneshet


Gedion



Gedion






January 23, 2015: Dairy Management

8:30-9:00 Gap identification questionnaire Dawit/Haile

9:00-10:30 Feeding of calves and replacement heifers, dry pregnant and lactating cows

Yayneshet


11:00-12:30 Reproductive management Tadesse/Desta-Alem


14:00-15:30 Reproductive management Tadesse/Desta-Alem


16:00-17:30 Milk handling and processing Haftom


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January 24, 2015: Poultry Management (parallel session)

8:30-9:00 Gap identification questionnaire Haile

9:00-10:30 Feeding and day old chicks, pullets, and layers

Bruh/Mekelle Farm


11:00-12:30 Poultry housing designs Bruh


14:00-15:30 Poultry diseases management Mekelle Farm


16:00-17:30 Hatchery management Bruh

17:30-18:30 Discussion/Feedback/action plan Haile/Bruh

January 24, 2015: Small ruminant management (parallel session)

8:30-9:00 Gap identification questionnaire Dawit

9:00-10:30 Small ruminant feeding strategies

Yayneshet


11:00-12:30 Small ruminant feeding strategies

Yayneshet


14:00-15:30 Reproductive management Yayneshet


16:00-17:30 Community based sheep breeding

Yayneshet

17:30-18:30 Discussion/Feedback/action plan Yayneshet/Dawit

January 25, 2015:

Whole day

Action plan preparation and presentation; Demonstration materials use; identifying potential EM suppliers/agents Yayneshet/Dawit/Haile

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3. Annex 3: Sample action plans

Ahferom

Apiculture

S/n Activities Participant no

Why /purpose How /Method When/Time frame

With whom? Support needed /from whom

Materials needed

1 Training To improve the production and

productivity of honey and honeybees on

small-scale farmers in related market linkage system

To create and support available

service for the farmers

Theoretical and video

supported Two way learning

system Group

desiccation on phenomena

Experience sharing on best farms

Practical on field

Febr

uary

18-

20/2

015

LIVES LIVESResearch

center

Manual (cd ppt)Stationery Honey containerRe fractometer

farmers 30

Bee technician 3

DAs 3

2 Training activities

2.1 Honeybee feeding strategies

2.2 Honeybee pest and diseases

2.3 Seasonal colony management

2.5 Beekeeping on transitional hive

3

NB;- Facilitator and trainers #1

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Dairy




Materials needed

1 Training To improve the production and productivity of dairy caws on small-scale farmers in related market linkage system

To improve Ingenious breed

To create and support available Extension service for the farmers

Theoretical and video supported Two way learning system Group



Practical on field

Febr

uar2

2-22

4/20

15

LIVES BOARD Woreda and

tabia Administrator

Input supply

LIVESResearch

Center

Lactometer Manual (cd ppt)

Stationery 6 litter EM16 litter molasses 80kg wheat bran 2m*2m Plastic

sheet 20 kg urea8 Bucket

Farmers 40

AI technician 2

Animal health assistance 4

Das 3

Cooperative /union 1


2.1 Feeding heifer ,lactating caw, calves

2.2 Housing management

2.3 Feed implementing using EM and urea treatment

2.4 Vaccination and treatment calendar

2.5 AI calendar

3 40 litter EM introducing to the farmers and implementing the each farmer

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Poultry




Materials needed

1 Training To improve the production and

productivity of chickens on small-

scale farmers in related market linkage system

To create and support available

Extension service for the farmers

Theoretical and video

supported Two way learning

system Group



Practical on field

Febr

uary

26-

28/2

015

LIVES BOARD Woreda and

tabia Administrator

Input supply

LIVESResearch

Center

Feeder and drinker Manual (cd ppt)

Stationery Mesh wire

Farmers 40

Animal health assistance 4

Das 3

Poultry agent 2


2.1 Feeding and handling of day-old chicken, pullets and layers

2.2 Housing management and design

2.3 Vaccination and treatment calendar

2.4 Biosecurity

3 Using EM treated feed in 40 farmers

4 Constricting Model poultry house in 5 farmers

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Laelay Maichew

Dairy .

What activity Why(purpose) How(method)When( Time Frame) With Whom? Supported need

(Stockholder) (From whom)

I. Feeding of calves, farmers have lowTheoretical and by practical

January 8-10/2007 LIVES Stationeries-LIVE

replacement heifers, knowledge & Skill trianing, preparing Training wereda

materials-Wereda &

dry pregnant cows& manual, by pictures& video DA'S

LIVES

Lactating cows show Group discussions

& experience sharing

II.Reproductive management the farmers low Theoretical andJanuary 8-10/2007 LIVES Videos ,Pictures

of dairy cows knowhow on by practical training, wereda

reproductive of cow preparing Training manual, DA'S

by pictures& video show

Group discussions &by best

experience sharing

III.Milking procedures & the farmers have Theoretical andJanuary 8-10/2007 LIVES Videos ,Pictures-

Milking handling methods misunderstand/gapsby practical training, wereda Milking materials

on milking & handlings

preparing Training manual, DA'S (LIVES& wereda)

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by pictures& video show cooperative

Group discussions &by best

experience sharing IV.EM Uses for improving It is a new technology Theoretical and lekatit 8-10/2007 LIVES EM, Molasess,

fibrous feeds& its to the farmersby practical training, wereda Wheat Bran-LIVES

applications preparing Training manual, DA'S

by pictures& video show cooperative

Group discussions

VI. Practical demonstration farmers have low preparing training manual,

January 8-10/2007 wereda EM, Molasses,

on EM, urea Treatment, knowledge in SkillTheoretical and practical DA'S Wheat Bran-LIVES

urea molasses block, silage training using pictures&

video show group discussions

Beekeeping .



I. Training on bee keeping Upgrade the Theoretical andJanuary12-14/2007 LIVES Stationeries-LIVE

calendar knoiwlege &Skill of by practical training, wereda

materials-wereda &

the beekeeper preparing Training manual, DA'S

LIVES

by pictures& video

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show Group discussions

II. Seasonal management of Farmers have Shortage Theoretical and

January12-14/2007 LIVES

honey bee colonies of skill & Knowhow by practical training, wereda

preparing Training manual, DA'S


Group discussions

III. Honeybee feeding There are gaps on skill Theoretical andJanuary12-14/2007 LIVES

management & Strategies knowledge &Skill of practical training, wereda

farmers preparing Training manual, DA'S


Group discussions

IV.Honey bee apiary site There are gaps on skill Theoretical andJanuary12-14/2007 LIVES

selection knowledge &Skill of by practical training, wereda


V.How to prepare of honey There are gaps on skill Theoretical andJanuary12-14/2007 LIVES

bee flora calendar, knowledge &Skill of by practical training, wereda

Productivity , farmers preparing Training manual, DA'S

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Poultry .



I. Feeding& feeding farmers have Shortage Theoretical and

January16-18/2007 LIVES Stationeries-LIVE

management day old chicks, of skill & Knowhow practical training, wereda materials-wereda

pullets& layers preparing Training manual, DA'S

&LIVES

by pictures& Group discussions

II. Housing design of poultry There are gaps on skill Theoretical andJanuary16-18/2007 LIVES

knowledge &Skill of practical training, wereda


by pictures& Group discussions

III. Hatchery management There are gaps on skill Theoretical training,January16-18/2007 LIVES

knowledge &Skill of preparing Training manual, wereda

farmers by pictures& DA'S Group discussions

IV. Poultry Predators, There are gaps on skill Theoretical training,January16-18/2007 LIVES

pests & diseases knowledge &Skill of preparing Training manual, wereda

management farmers by pictures& DA'S Group discussions

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