DAIRY TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION IN SMALL HOLDER FARMER IN AND AROUND GONDAR TOWN, AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study was conducted in and around Gondar town Zone of Amhara regional state, North Gondar, Ethiopia to assess the dairy technology adoption practice in small holder farmer. A total of 40 Households (HHs) were randomly selected. Questioner was developed and a survey was conducted on the selected HHs pertaining dairy technology and adoption practice. The gathered data was summarized and analyzed by using SPSS 20. The result revealed that 85 % of respondents do not adopt different dairy technologies.Most of the households in the study area were usingindigenous dairy cattle breeds. The proportion of cattle’s owned by respondents were 4.45±2.253, 0.7±2.366 and for indigenous, Exotic and cross breed, respectively. Despite the largest concern was given for male households, females also involved in cow management, milking activities aiming for milk consumption and income generation. Almost all farmers in the study area provided house for cattle, and about 42.5 % of the respondents indicated that loose housing system is widely used in the area. Ration formulation based on scientific standard was not common in the study area. From the interviewed households, 50 % of respondents were practicing mixing of different feed stuffs which is taken as formulation. All of the households in the study area neglects urea molasses block making and silage making technologies. In general the level of technology adoption by smallholder farmers is still unsatisfactory. Therefore, the government and extension agent should give emphasis on improving dairy technology and its adoption in small holder farmer though continuous training on how to utilize improved feeding, artificial insemination, improved housing and health care technologies.