Dabus Irrigation Development Project - Livestock Development Study Summary

Document Overview

This is Volume IV, Part III of the feasibility study and detailed design project for Dabus Irrigation Development in Ethiopia, focusing on livestock development. Prepared by the Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise for the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy, January 2015.

Key Components

1. Forage Species Analysis

The report provides extensive data on forage species performance under different conditions:

• Characteristics of 9 improved forage species (Table A.2)
• Performance of grasses and legumes under rain-fed and irrigated conditions (Tables A.3-A.4)
• Recommended forage crops for irrigation areas (Table A.5)
• Species suitable for hot dry lowlands (Table A.6)
• Yield data for various forage species (Tables A.7-A.8)

2. Livestock Nutritional Requirements

Detailed feeding standards and ration formulations for:

• Tropical cattle (Tables A.9-A.11)
• Sheep and goats (Table A.12)
• Commercial layers (Table A.13)
• Specific daily rations for different cattle categories (Tables A.14-A.27)
• Concentrate mix for commercial layers (Table A.28)

3. Environmental Data

Climatic and rainfall data for the project area (Tables A.29-A.30):

Parameter	Value
Average Temperature	18.1°C (min) - 32.5°C (max)
Annual Rainfall	1,042 mm
Effective Rainfall	720 mm
Average ETO	4.46 mm/day

4. Visual Documentation

The report includes 19 figures showing:

• Local farming implements and practices (Figures A.1-A.2)
• Livestock types and breeds (Figures A.3-A.14)
• Natural pastures and vegetation (Figures A.16-A.19)
• Beekeeping activities (Figure A.15)

Key Findings

• Provides comprehensive nutritional guidelines for various livestock categories
• Identifies optimal forage species for different environmental conditions
• Includes practical ration formulations for different production systems
• Documents local livestock breeds and farming practices
• Presents essential climatic data for agricultural planning