Desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) and multipurpose trees established to increase productivity of grazing lands. (Daniel Danano)
This case study focuses on the highly populated, humid highland regions of Ethiopia that experience serious shortages of pasture. Due to rapid population growth, communal grazing areas are increasingly being converted into cropland. This has led to enormous pressure on the little remaining grazing land, through overstocking of dairy cows and oxen, and thus overgrazing, resulting in considerably decreased productivity.
Improved grazing land management is vital to increase food security and alleviate poverty, as well as to bring environmental rewards. To address these problems, the national SWC programme in Ethiopia initiated a grazing land management project over a decade ago. Implementation of the technology includes the initial delineating of the grazing land, and then fencing to exclude open access. This is followed by land preparation, application of compost (and, if necessary, inorganic fertilizers) to improve soil fertility, then planting of improved local and exotic fodder species, including multipurpose shrubs/trees such as Leucaena sp. and Sesbania sp. and the local desho grass (Pennisetum sp.). Desho has a high nutritive value and regular cuts are ensured. It is planted by splits, which have high survival rates and establish better than grasses which are seeded. Other grass seeds, as well as legumes, including alfalfa (lucerne: Medicago sativa) and clovers in some cases, are mixed with fodder tree seeds and then broadcast.
Maintenance activities such as weeding, manuring and replanting ensure proper establishment and persistence. Fodder is cut and carried to stall-fed livestock. Once a year, grass is cut for hay, which is stored to feed animals during the dry season. Experience shows that such grazing land is best managed when individually owned and used. In the study area, the community has distributed small plots (<0.5 ha) of communal grazing land to individual users to develop, manage and use.
The overall purpose of the intervention is to improve the productivity of grazing land and control land degradation through the introduction of productive techniques and improved fodder species, which consequently improve livestock production. Commercialisation of animals and marketing of their products increases the income of farmers. The government provides technical assistance, close follow-up, and some inputs for initial establishment. Land users are trained in compost/ manure application, planting of seeds, splits and seedlings, and general maintenance.
Location: Chencha, Ethiopia
No. of Technology sites analysed:
Spread of the Technology:
In a permanently protected area?:
Date of implementation:
Type of introduction
| Specify input | Unit | Quantity | Costs per Unit (n.a.) | Total costs per input (n.a.) | % of costs borne by land users |
| Labour | |||||
| Labour | ha | 1.0 | 320.0 | 320.0 | 100.0 |
| Equipment | |||||
| Animal traction | ha | 1.0 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 100.0 |
| Tools | ha | 1.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 50.0 |
| Plant material | |||||
| Seedlings | ha | 1.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
| Grass splits (tillers) | ha | 1.0 | 450.0 | 450.0 | 100.0 |
| Fertilizers and biocides | |||||
| Fertilizer | ha | 1.0 | 60.0 | 60.0 | 100.0 |
| Compost/manure | ha | 1.0 | 140.0 | 140.0 | 100.0 |
| Construction material | |||||
| Deadwood for fencing | ha | 1.0 | 55.0 | 55.0 | 100.0 |
| Total costs for establishment of the Technology | 1'052.0 | ||||
| Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD | 1'052.0 | ||||
| Specify input | Unit | Quantity | Costs per Unit (n.a.) | Total costs per input (n.a.) | % of costs borne by land users |
| Labour | |||||
| Labour | ha | 1.0 | 35.0 | 35.0 | 100.0 |
| Equipment | |||||
| Tools | ha | 1.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 100.0 |
| Plant material | |||||
| Seeds | ha | 1.0 | 30.0 | 30.0 | 100.0 |
| Seedlings | ha | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 100.0 |
| Fertilizers and biocides | |||||
| Fertilizer | ha | 1.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 100.0 |
| Compost/manure | ha | 1.0 | 35.0 | 35.0 | 100.0 |
| Construction material | |||||
| Deadwood for fencing | ha | 1.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 100.0 |
| Total costs for maintenance of the Technology | 126.0 | ||||
| Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD | 126.0 | ||||
Increase in livestock production
Increase in the availability of livestock products on the market
Decrease in size of grazing plots due to land fragmentation
Selling animals and their products
Initially high. Incentives such as free seeds, seedlings, tools
Improvement in household diets (milk)
Increased willingness
