Impac T Of Climate Variability On Livestock Production And Feed: Cases From Three AgroClimatic Zones In Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

It is true that most proportions of Africans livestock production and productivities are declined when
the climate condition is not comfortable. Indirectly climate change has significant impact on feed
resources on livestock productivity, carrying capacity of rangelands, and feeds, feeding options and
grazing managements. Therefore, this study was conducted to show the impacts of climate change on
livestock production and feed. To achieve the objectives set, appropriate data was collected from three
sample kebeles which were selected through stratified sampling method based on their agro-climatic
conditions. About 346 household heads were purposively selected from the three sample agro-climatic
zones. The findings of the study on climate change and variability has resulted in impact on Livestock
sector. Livestock production of 2005 and 2016 years was decreased by 9%, and 15.4%, respectively for
oxen and cows livestock species. Contrary to the cattle population, positive rate of change was observed
for goats, camels and donkeys. There should be focus on planting suitable fodder tree for each agroclimatic zone around irrigation dykes and area closures