Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to understand current forage options, identifying the major
constraints and opportunities, and to evaluate the performance of selected forage options using
agronomic performance, yield, and chemical compositions in selected Districts (Menze Mama,
Menze Gera, Ziquala, and Abergelle) of eastern Amhara regional state, Ethiopia. The survey part of
the study was conducted in four selected districts while the field experiment was done at Menze
Mama District. In the survey part, purposive sampling method was employed to select the study
districts and kebeles. A total of 218 household respondents were participated in the assessment
study. In the field experiment, randomized complete block design was used with one factor (intercropping) arrangements with three grass species (inter-cropped with vetch and sole) having three
replications. The selected forage species were: desho (Kulumsa-DZF #592), vetch (Vicia
dasycarpa), oats (Lampton), and Phalaris ((Phalaris aquatica (acc6583)). samples were harvested
based on the recommended harvesting ages of forages, weighed, dried, and ground sub-samples
were taken for chemical analyses of dry matter, ash, organic matter, crude protein, neutral
detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, in vitro organic matter digestibility, and
metabolizable energy using Near-infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy. The collected data was
subjected to statistical package for social sciences version 20 for the survey part and a general
linear model analysis of variance procedure of statistical analysis system for experimental part. The
result showed that oats, vetch, Phalaris, desho, elephant grass, Rhodes grass, and cowpea were the
most distributed forage options in the study areas. The most common major constraints that reduce
forage production in the study districts were lack of forage seed, shortage of land, drought, limited
knowledge/awareness, and high cost of planting materials as the percentage of respondents ranked
them in decreasing order of their influences. Inversely, there were also some major opportunities to
facilitate forage production in the study districts such as presence of fallowing land, high amount of
livestock population, accessibility of water and irrigation, and applicability of forage development
strategies, supporting/intervention of research center and non-governmental organizations onxi
farmers, suitability of the area for sheep production (Menze sheep), and high consumer pref