This paper assesses the ability of fodder plants to reduce methane (CH 4 ) emissions while simultaneously improving animal productivity in Ethiopia. Enteric CH 4 emissions from ruminants in Ethiopia increased by 12% or ≈ 6197 Gg CO 2 -eq. in 2017 compared to the year 2011. In this study, six tropical multipurpose forages (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Moringa stenopetala (Bak.f.) Cuf., Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr., Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp., Crotalaria juncea L., and Lablab purpureus L.(Sweet)) and maize stover were characterized in terms of chemical composition, in vitro CH 4 production, and CH 4 concentration (%). The objective was to identify forages with low CH 4 production potential but with adequate forage quality. The forages differed significantly in chemical composition and in enteric CH 4 emission. The dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) ranged between 89.4-95.4%, 6.08-12.5%, 3.3-30.7%, 20.4-76.0%, 10.8-44.8, and 2.9-14.1%, respectively. All forage plants, except maize stover, contained high CP content above a threshold value (i.e., 7%). Cajanus c. generates the lowest amount of CH 4 (32.83 mL/0.2 g DM incubated). CH 4 concentration (%) was used as a potential indicator to determine the capacity of a plant to lower CH 4 production. Among the studied species, L. purpureus showed the highest CH 4 reduction potential (16%) followed by C. juncea (23.45%), M. stenopetala (24.2%), and L. leucocephala (25.5%). M. stenopetala was the most frequently preferred by the farmers followed by C. juncea and L. leucocephala. We concluded that M. stenopetala, C. juncea, and L. leucocephala can be promoted as valuable feed resources for ruminants while simultaneously reducing CH 4 emissions.

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This study was conducted with the objectives of comparing range condition of an area under different land use practices (resettled and non-resettled) and assessing the possible effect of resettlement on range condition in Meinit-Shasha district of Bench-Maji zone, southwest Ethiopia. Two kebeles were selected purposively where vegetation and soil conditions were investigated in 40 quadrats across 20 sampling sites using 20 × 20 m (400 m 2 ) quadrat, which was distributed along transects. The investigation included the assessment of grass composition, basal cover, litter cover; age distribution of dominant grasses, number of seedlings and soil conditions (erosion and compaction), which were investigated on 1 × 1 m (1 m 2 ) area. Data from range vegetation survey was analyzed using SAS software. The study results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between kebeles in terms of grass composition, basal cover, number of seedling and soil condition. The total score for range condition rating showed that the resettled kebele was in the category of poor range condition, whereas the nonresettled was in fair condition. Expansion of crop cultivation and the establishment of permanent settlements as a result of resettlement program were considered to be the main contributing factors to the reduction of grazing lands and poor range condition scores in the resettled kebele. The study showed a higher level of degradation in the resettled kebele than non-resettled kebele. Generally, the results of this study indicated that unplanned resettlement program had a negative influence on rangeland vegetation dynamics. Cautious planning and implementation of resettlement programs in recognition of differences in land use between the host communities and resettlers is suggested. Securing inhabitants' land tenure would facilitate the recovery of rangeland vegetation and conservation of biodiversity.