The feed assessment tool (FEAST) was used to characterize the farming and livestock system. Prior to data collection, a sustainable livelihoods framework (SLF) approach was used in August 2012. The result of the study depict that the contribution of grazing to dry matter (DM), metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) content was relatively high for the above average group farmers who reserve more land for the growth of grazing pasture and crop residue (barley and wheat) through land renting. Due to limitations of grazing and crop residue resources farmers in the below average group were forced to use the purchased feeds and it contributes more to the CP, ME and DM of the total diet of their livestock in the order of importance. The problems that were raised by the farmers encompass shortage of feed, unavailability of credit services, shortage of veterinary service and lack AI service. The study recommends the development of herbaceous forage legumes and fodder trees species which can mitigate the constraints of feed scarcity. Training on cost effective livestock ration formulation techniques to reduce the feed shortages observed and to supply the livestock with quality and palatable feeds requires due attention.

In this article, we demonstrated the dynamic impact of a bumper harvest and drought shocks on the maize market and on the trade regime in Ethiopia. Regional market integration of Ethiopia's white maize market with the South Sudan and Kenyan maize markets was also examined using cointegration analysis. Despite the renewed conflict in South Sudan, Addis Ababa maize market is cointegrated with Juba's maize market. The simulation analysis indicated that a 20% increase in maize yield could reduce the maize price by 81%. This implies a decrease in the maize price level of 70% (110 USD/t) below the export parity price. This makes maize exports profitable and shifts the trade regime from autarky to an export parity regime. On the other hand, the effect of a drought could increase maize prices by 61% in the short run (within the year). At the current market price, the domestic maize price is wandering between the border prices and it is unprofitable to export maize. Therefore, lifting the export ban, even during normal harvest seasons, would not do any harm to the domestic maize price.

The present study was conducted to share the experience of promoting fish production and marketing from the Tendaho Reservoir of the Afar region, Ethiopia. The study results indicate the reservoir is serving its purpose, namely to generate gainful employment for the pastoralist youth and to create sustainable livelihoods and sources of income for the pastoralist‐fishermen of the Afar region. Further, the reservoir fish production has improved the nutrition and food security status of children. It also created a new business entry for hotels and restaurants in the area. Fishermen in the study areas, however, face problems getting the required support for such efforts, in the form of training in fish post‐harvest practices. The present study also indicates dried catfish marketing should be targeted in the short run to address the substantial fish spoilage observed in the high‐production hot season. Dried catfish marketing is highly recommended for the Afar region since it is well adapted to the climate of the study area, noting the product is less perishable and can be sold throughout the country. Dried catfish marketing is also expected to address the problem of gender inclusiveness, an issue clearly missing in the fish production system in the study areas.

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This study was initiated with the purpose to assess the dairy value chain in Lemu-Bilbilo district of Arsi zone, Ethiopia. This study made use of both qualitative and quantitative data collected from primary and secondary sources. Different Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques were utilized to collect primary data in July 2012. The dairy value chain in Lemu-Bilbilo district involves six distinct value adding activities including input supply, production, gathering, processing, transportation and retail trading. The proportion of milk off-take rate by dairy producers was only 15%. Some of the challenges for dairy production at input, production, processing and marketing stage include low quality and poor timeliness of Artificial Insemination (AI) service, information gap on credit services, feed shortage, lack of awareness and knowledge regarding improved feed formulation, unavailability of government and private ranches and multiplication centers for the supply of improved dairy animals. Therefore, to create knowledge based commercial dairy development in the area, there is an urgent need to encourage the introduction and development of improved forage seed, organize recurrent training for dairy producers on improved forages, feed conservation, formulation and feed preservation techniques.