27
The ox-plough system is deeply rooted in Ethiopia and is strongly associated
with the cultivation of cereal crops such as teff. This system was well adapted to
former conditions in Ethiopia, when grazing areas were abundant, farms were larger
and population density was lower (Aune et al. 2001). Large grazing areas are
required to uphold the system, as in addition to the two oxen, two young ‘apprentice’ bulls/calves are required in addition to a stud bull and four or five cows
(McCann 1995). This livestock system therefore consists of at least 11 animals in
order to maintain it over time.
The ox-plough system puts female-headed households and the poorest households without access to a pair of oxen at a disadvantage. Farmers without oxen need
to rent them, and surveys show that the farmer who ploughs usually claims 50% of
the harvest and may, in addition, take the straw (Aune et al. 2001). This is a constraint for many farmers in Ethiopia as 48% of households own zero or one ox.
Female-headed households are required to hire a man for ploughing, as it is not
culturally acceptable for women to plough.
Without important changes in the livestock system in Ethiopia, it will be very
demanding to introduce CA at a large scale. A survey of 643 households in the Rift
Valley in Ethiopia and Western Kenya showed that the major output from the livestock system in Ethiopia is traction power, whilst milk production is the major output in Western Kenya (Baudron et al. 2014). In the central Rift Valley, there is an
average of 5.69 TLU ha
−1
cultivated land with oxen constituting 42% of the livestock, whilst cows represent 36% of the livestock and the average milk production
is 160 litres cow
−1
year
−1
(Baudron et al. 2014). In Western Kenya, where more
intensive livestock production is practised, there are on average 4.04 TLU ha
−1
cultivated land and oxen represent 12% of the livestock population, whilst cows represent 62%. It is therefore clear that milk production per farm is much higher in
Western Kenya compared to the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Manure application per ha is
also four times higher in Kenya compared to Ethiopia, despite higher livestock
number per ha in Ethiopia. These figures show that livestock production could
become more productive in Ethiopia if the livestock production system changes
from an emphasis on producing traction power to more emphasis on milk and meat
production. Intensive milk production requires fodder of good quality, and this may
allow more crop residues to be used as mulch, as straw is not a good fodder resource
for lactating animals. A reduction in the number of animals would also make it possible for farmers to retain more straw as mulch.
4 Effect of CA on Soil Properties, Soil Erosion and Yields
in Ethiopia
CA can improve soil properties, both as a result of mulching and by introducing
nitrogen fixation crops in the rotation system or in intercropping. Mulching improves
soil properties by increasing water infiltration, by improving the soil’s water- holding
The Prospects for Conservation Agriculture in Ethiopia
The ox-plough system is deeply rooted in Ethiopia and is strongly associated
with the cultivation of cereal crops such as teff. This system was well adapted to
former conditions in Ethiopia, when grazing areas were abundant, farms were larger
and population density was lower (Aune et al. 2001). Large grazing areas are
required to uphold the system, as in addition to the two oxen, two young ‘apprentice’ bulls/calves are required in addition to a stud bull and four or five cows
(McCann 1995). This livestock system therefore consists of at least 11 animals in
order to maintain it over time.
The ox-plough system puts female-headed households and the poorest households without access to a pair of oxen at a disadvantage. Farmers without oxen need
to rent them, and surveys show that the farmer who ploughs usually claims 50% of
the harvest and may, in addition, take the straw (Aune et al. 2001). This is a constraint for many farmers in Ethiopia as 48% of households own zero or one ox.
Female-headed households are required to hire a man for ploughing, as it is not
culturally acceptable for women to plough.
Without important changes in the livestock system in Ethiopia, it will be very
demanding to introduce CA at a large scale. A survey of 643 households in the Rift
Valley in Ethiopia and Western Kenya showed that the major output from the livestock system in Ethiopia is traction power, whilst milk production is the major output in Western Kenya (Baudron et al. 2014). In the central Rift Valley, there is an
average of 5.69 TLU ha
−1
cultivated land with oxen constituting 42% of the livestock, whilst cows represent 36% of the livestock and the average milk production
is 160 litres cow
−1
year
−1
(Baudron et al. 2014). In Western Kenya, where more
intensive livestock production is practised, there are on average 4.04 TLU ha
−1
cultivated land and oxen represent 12% of the livestock population, whilst cows represent 62%. It is therefore clear that milk production per farm is much higher in
Western Kenya compared to the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Manure application per ha is
also four times higher in Kenya compared to Ethiopia, despite higher livestock
number per ha in Ethiopia. These figures show that livestock production could
become more productive in Ethiopia if the livestock production system changes
from an emphasis on producing traction power to more emphasis on milk and meat
production. Intensive milk production requires fodder of good quality, and this may
allow more crop residues to be used as mulch, as straw is not a good fodder resource
for lactating animals. A reduction in the number of animals would also make it possible for farmers to retain more straw as mulch.
4 Effect of CA on Soil Properties, Soil Erosion and Yields
in Ethiopia
CA can improve soil properties, both as a result of mulching and by introducing
nitrogen fixation crops in the rotation system or in intercropping. Mulching improves
soil properties by increasing water infiltration, by improving the soil’s water- holding
The Prospects for Conservation Agriculture in Ethiopia