Dairy Dilemmas: How Ethiopian Farmers Are Tackling Feed Shortages

Avery Sinclair in Business & Economy December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the innovative strategies Jimma's smallholder dairy producers are using to combat feed scarcity and ensure sustainable milk production."

Smallholder dairy farming is gaining popularity, yet Ethiopian dairy farmers face significant hurdles, especially feed shortages which greatly impacts dairy production. A recent study in Jimma, Ethiopia, sheds light on the resourceful ways these farmers are navigating feed scarcity. The study highlights the innovative feed resources, adaptive feeding practices, and strategic coping mechanisms employed by smallholder dairy producers in the region.

Researchers aimed to understand how farmers perceive feed shortages, what types of feed they use, and what strategies they implement when feed is scarce. By examining these practices, this study identifies opportunities for interventions that can enhance the health and productivity of dairy cattle in similar regions.

This article delves into the findings of the study, revealing the diverse feed resources utilized, the common feeding practices, and the inventive strategies farmers employ to keep their dairy operations afloat amidst scarcity. Ultimately, it underscores the need for integrated technological, technical, and institutional innovations to support sustainable dairy farming in the area.

Unveiling the Feed Basket: What Ethiopian Dairy Farmers Use

Surreal illustration of dairy farming in Jimma, Ethiopia, highlighting innovative feed resources and coping strategies.

The study identified twenty major feed types, which farmers categorized into five classes: natural pasture grazing, green feeds, hay, concentrate (commercial mix and agro-industrial by-products), and non-conventional feed resources. The ranking of these resources revealed interesting priorities:

Green feeds (fresh grasses and legumes): Ranked highest in importance (mean rank = 0.361), with 94.4% of farmers using it as the main basal diet for their cattle.
Concentrates: Followed green feeds in importance (0.256).
Hay: Occupied the third position (0.198).
Non-conventional Feeds: Held a significant place (0.115).
Natural Pasture Grazing: Ranked lowest (0.070).

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The reliance on green feeds underscores their accessibility and importance as a foundational element of dairy cattle diets. Farmers creatively source these feeds from various locations, ensuring a consistent supply, especially during the wet seasons. While wheat bran, commercial concentrate, and noug cake were the primary concentrate supplements, the study also highlighted the use of local brew waste (attela), bean and pea hulls, and even enset (Ensete ventricosum) leaves as non-conventional alternatives. About 79.6, 7.4, 1.9 and 11.1% of the farmers used zero-, semi-zero-, and the combination of zero- and semi-zero- and free-grazing systems, respectively. Most farmers (90.7 %) offered concentrate supplements to milking cows.

Innovate or Stagnate: The Path Forward for Jimma's Dairy Farmers

The study clearly indicates that feed scarcity is a pressing issue for smallholder dairy producers in Jimma, primarily due to land constraints. However, their creative use of available resources and adaptive strategies demonstrates resilience and a willingness to innovate.

To ensure the long-term viability of dairy farming in the region, technological, technical, and institutional innovations are essential. This includes:

Government support in allocating land for feed production, promoting the use of tree legume forages, improving hay conservation and storage, and optimizing the utilization of locally available crop residues. By addressing these challenges, we can empower Jimma's dairy farmers to thrive, ensuring a sustainable supply of milk and improving livelihoods.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1186/s40064-016-2417-9, Alternate LINK

Title: Assessment Of Feed Resources, Feeding Practices And Coping Strategies To Feed Scarcity By Smallholder Urban Dairy Producers In Jimma Town, Ethiopia

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: SpringerPlus

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Belay Duguma, Geert Paul Jules Janssens

Published: 2016-06-14

Everything You Need To Know

What is the main challenge facing dairy farmers in Jimma?

Feed scarcity poses a major challenge for smallholder dairy producers in Jimma, primarily stemming from land constraints. This scarcity directly impacts dairy production, as insufficient feed leads to reduced milk yields and potentially poorer cattle health. Without adequate feed, cows cannot meet their nutritional needs, which affects their ability to produce milk. The study highlights the importance of addressing this issue to ensure the sustainability of dairy farming in the region.

What are the primary types of feed used by dairy farmers?

The study identified five major feed classes: natural pasture grazing, green feeds, hay, concentrates (commercial mix and agro-industrial by-products), and non-conventional feed resources. Green feeds, such as fresh grasses and legumes, were ranked highest in importance, followed by concentrates. Hay, non-conventional feeds, and natural pasture grazing followed in order of importance. Understanding these resources and their prioritization is crucial for developing effective interventions to support dairy farmers.

How do farmers in Jimma manage their feed resources?

Farmers in Jimma employ a variety of innovative feeding practices. A significant portion of farmers uses green feeds, which they source from various locations to ensure a consistent supply. Concentrates, including wheat bran, commercial concentrate, and noug cake, are commonly used as supplements. Moreover, farmers utilize non-conventional feed resources, such as local brew waste (attela), bean and pea hulls, and enset leaves. The adaptive use of these resources showcases the farmers' resilience and innovative spirit in the face of feed scarcity.

What innovations are needed to support dairy farming in this region?

The study underscores the critical need for technological, technical, and institutional innovations to support sustainable dairy farming. These innovations can include improved feed production techniques, better storage methods, and access to resources like high-quality seeds and training programs. Supporting these innovations can help farmers overcome feed shortages, enhance the health and productivity of their cattle, and secure the long-term viability of their dairy operations.

How do farmers cope with feed shortages?

Smallholder dairy producers in Jimma demonstrate several coping mechanisms, including the creative use of available feed resources, adaptive feeding practices, and strategic sourcing of feed. They prioritize green feeds and supplement with concentrates and non-conventional feeds. The use of zero-, semi-zero-, and combination grazing systems, coupled with concentrate supplementation for milking cows, further illustrates their adaptability. These strategies help them navigate the challenges posed by feed scarcity and maintain dairy production.