Report on ToT organized for public extension livestock experts in Aksum
Background
In Tigray, the need to improve the productivity and marketability of livestock and their products
has been increasing from time to time. This is reflected by the commitment of the regional
government to increase the required resources to the livestock sector. For example, the number
of crossbred cows produced using regular AI and synchronization has increased by 32 folds, the
distribution of exotic chicken by 7.8 folds, and improved frame hives by 10.5 folds over just 10
years period. Similarly, the number of sheep and goats fattened has increased substantially.
Moreover, the regional government has also approved a new organizational structure with the
Bureau of Agriculture and that a separate livestock agency is being developed to its full level.
Despite such investments, the role of livestock extension staff remains traditional and has not
kept pace with the requirements of market oriented livestock development. There is no regular
training on technical aspects of improved livestock management and marketing, use of modern
inputs and output marketing. The scope of extension staff to address farmers’ knowledge and
capacity gaps on livestock feeding, breeding (Including successful artificial insemination),
reproduction and grazing land management remains low and not up-to-date.
The training was held from January 21-25, 2015 at Consular International Hotel in Aksum, and
addressed four commodities (apiculture, dairy, poultry and small ruminants). Key themes of the
training included the following:
1. Essential microorganisms (EM): History and current application in the world; EM use in
livestock; Specific procedures for using EM in livestock feeds (Bokashi, straw and
stover)
2. Apiculture: Seasonal beehive management; feeding strategies during normal and dearth
periods; bee disease and pest management; hive products (honey and beeswax) handling
and storage.
3. Dairy: Feeding strategies for calves, heifers and lactating and dry cows; body condition
and fertility management of cows and heifers; reproduction (current synchronization
practices in Tigrai and the need to improve it) and breeding (AI); milk quality handling
(including mastitis and milk fever prevention and management).
4. Poultry: Management of day old, pullet and layers; feeding strategies for different age
birds; poultry diseases (commonly reported in the central zone) and available vaccines
5. Small ruminants: Feeding strategies for lambs/kids, growers and lactating ewes/does;
reproduction and synchronization in sheep; community based sheep breeding (with
examples from Ethiopia).
The training was organized with the following learning objectives:
1. Effectively apply the use of essential microorganisms to improving livestock feeds (dairy,
poultry and small ruminants)
2. Improve the capacity to manage reproduction and breeding in targeted livestock species
(cattle and small ruminants)
1
3. Formulate balanced complete ration for ruminant (dairy cattle and small ruminants) and
monogastric (poultry) livestock
4. Improve the use of AI and synchronization techniques in increasing crossbred dairy cows
5. Improve honey quantity and quality
6. deliver market oriented livestock extension services for smallholder livestock keepers
The training was held in Aksum from January 21-25, 2015 using facilities provided by Consolar
International Hotel and attended by 34 participants (M=32; F=2).
The training was facilitated by LIVES regional livestock expert and zonal coordinators. The
facilitation process was fully participatory included a pre-training identification of major gaps
hindering the realization of market oriented livestock development in the two LIVES action
zones. This was followed by a clear understanding by higher level decision making bodies such
as the regional livestock and health coordinator, zonal and district administrators, and heads of
each district’s Office of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Introduction session
The training begun by highlighting unique capacity development approach of LIVES, and the
specific commodities being addressed in each zone. This was followed by a brief reminder on
commodity specific visions set during the zonal workshops in February 2013. Participants were
then introduced themselves by explaining their specific area of expertise and experiences gained.
Each participant was requested to reveal the expectations from each training topic and filled in a
pre-and post-training evaluations, and briefed about housekeeping rules so that the training
process can go without interruption. Side comments given during the training were immediately
dealt with in so far as capacity of the facilitators permit. Scheduled training topics were delivered
within the allocated time. The facilitation process included opening the forum for discussion,
paraphrasing comments forwarded, and adding humours. Participants formed small groups and
discussed key issues that needed further actions. These included the use of essential
microorganisms (EM) stock in livestock feeding and means of creating sustained stock supply
and improving the current livestock management skills of smallholder farmers through training
and experience sharing visits. Participants also involved in a hands-on practical session on using
EM for treating wheat bran and making Bokashi, EM treatment of barley straw and sorghum
stover and feeding to cows and sheep, visited smallholder dairy and sheep farms (with clear
written instructions) and presented their assessment of current herd management, exercised Pregtone for determining doe pregnancy status. All issues raised during the training were properly
documented by zonal coordinators.
An overview of the training program included the following:


Day 1: Presentations on apiculture: feeding strategies, preparation of seasonal beehive
activity calendar; dealing with beehives diseases and pests; honey quality.
Day 2-Morning: Presentations on diary feeding and management of calves, heifers and
cows; fertility management; lactation curve; feeding and rearing of calves and
replacement heifers; nutritional needed of dry pregnant and lactation cows; the dairy
hub approach as successfully implemented in Kenya.
2





Day 2-Afternoon: history of essential microorganisms (EM); application of EM in
crops, waste management, and livestock; use of EM in improving low quality feeds and
preparation of Bokashi; Practical session on treating wheat bran (20 kg), barley straw
(20 kg), sorghum stover (20 kg) with EM solution.
Day 3: Dairy reproduction and breeding: Current performance indicators of AI in Tigrai;
alternative suggestions for synchronizing cows (based on the on-going student
research); reproductive management and the use of Hormonost Microlab farmerstest kit.
Day 4: Poultry (only for participants from the central zone): Poultry feeding and
housing, hatchery management; diseases management and vaccination.
Day 4: Small ruminants (only for participants from the eastern zone): Projected red meat
demand in Ethiopia’s livestock master plan; nutritional management; reproduction and
the use of prostaglandin based synchronization (application of Preg-Tone). Community
based sheep breeding.
Day 5: Action plan preparation and presentations (sample districts); way forward for
livestock demonstration technologies; identifying agents for distributing EM stock
A detail description of the training program is given in annex 2.
Presentations and discussions
Power point and flip chart presentations were used during the ToT.
Apiculture: Power point presentations on apiculture included preparation of seasonal beehive
activities including feeding, biological, management and environmental calendars. Major pests
and diseases of honeybees and controlling strategies, feeding strategies during dearth periods,
and hive product quality issues. Trainees prepared flowering calendar of major bee flora of their
respective districts and discussed the practicability of such calendar by farmers. Adulteration of
honey, uncontrolled use of pesticides in irrigated areas, and the introduction of new strains of
small sized hives from other areas were discussed at length. They suggested that strengthening
regulatory bodies and improving their capacity to identify adulterated honey; introducing honey
marketing through recognized bodies such as cooperatives and creating critical mass who can
control honey quality; increasing awareness through wider media coverage and working with
private honey processing and exporting companies were some of the suggested solutions to
improve the current problems on adulterated honey.
Dairy: presentations on dairy included feed resources and their approximate energy
concentration and protein content, feeding strategies for calves and growing heifers, pregnant
lactating/dry cows and lactating cows; fertility management and body condition manipulation,
and the dairy hub approach. Participants visited two dairy farms (one representing peri-urban and
the other in a rural area) and presented their assessment of the two farms. The group in the periurban dairy tried to look at the whole dairy farm business and came up with crude profitability of
the farm. The second group addressed a rural dairy farm and identified a number of management
issues such as labour allocation, efficient use of land for producing own forage, market linkages
with consumers.
3
Poultry: The presentations on poultry focused on locally available feeds and commercial ration
marketed by Mekelle Farms, feeding strategies for different classes of birds, housing optionsincluding internal facilities and spacing, hatchery management, major diseases and available
vaccines.
Small ruminants: feed resources for growing and breeding sheep and goats; feeding of lambs,
fattening stock and lactating ewes/does, the use of synchronization and community based sheep
breeding. Participants also tested Preg-Tone to minimize risks associated with prostaglandin
based synchronization protocols in small ruminants.
EM: The use of EM in livestock, crops and environment, evolution of EM technology, safety
issues, use of EM in livestock and poultry, steps for using EM in treating low quality feeds and
making bokashi. Trainees took part in a half-day practical session and treated barley straw,
sorghum stover and wheat bran using EM solutions. Questions raised by the ToT participants
included safety issues, legal permission for importing EM and sustained supply to smallholder
farmers. EM is completely natural made from lactobacilli, yeasts, and phototropic bacteria and so
far no major concern is reported from over 140 countries who permitted its use. Ethiopia has
formally recognized and permitted the use of EM. Ensuring sustained supply of EM stock is a
major concern that needs the attention of public and private sector. Using unions and
cooperatives as well as private companies as EM distributing agents were suggested by the
trainees.
Pre and post training evaluations
Results of the pre and post training evaluations for each learning topic are indicated in the following
figures. Before the training, the majority of the trainees in dairy development had an average knowledge
of the seven learning objectives included in the ToT. This was improved to good and very good after the
training (Fig. 1). Similarly, trainees’ knowledge of apiculture as evaluated using 5 learning objectives
was improved from average to good, very good and excellent (Fig. 2). The proportion of learners who
had average knowledge about poultry (Fig. 3) and small ruminants (Fig. 4) was also improved to above
average ratings after the training. A clear reversing of the ratings of about knowledge of trainees on EM
use was observed, and most scored an excellent after the training (Fig. 5)
Figure 1. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of dairy before and after training.
4
Figure 2. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of apiculture before and after training.
Figure 3. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of poultry before and after training.
Figure 4. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of small ruminants before and after training.
5
Figure 5. Ratings of trainees on their knowledge of EM use before and after training.
Next steps/Follow up action plans
Finally, trainees agreed to develop a detailed district level action plans (see annex 3) and promised to
provide similar training for smallholder farmers. They feared that high decision making officials may not
be willing to allocate sufficient time for livestock related activities including intensive training of
smallholder farmers, and this will be discussed further with each district’s heads of the Office of
Agriculture and Rural Development as well as district administrators.
6
Annexes
1. Annex 1: List of participants in the ToT for district livestock experts
January 21-25, 2015, Aksum
SN
Name
Sex
Profession
District
1.
Gebre-Kiros Gebre-Selama
M
Livestock coordinator
Atsbi-Womberta
2.
Bahlen Gebremicael
F
Forage
Atsbi-Womberta
3.
Mulugeta Gebretsadik
M
Breeding
Atsbi-Womberta
4.
Tesfay Gebru
M
Livestock coordinator
Kilte-Awlaelo
5.
Muez Legesse
M
Forage
Kilte-Awlaelo
6.
Teame Hailu
M
Apiculture
Kilte-Awlaelo
7.
Fikreselassie Kebede
M
Breeding
Kilte-Awlaelo
8.
Haileselassie Gidey
M
Livestock coordinator
Saesie-Tsaeda Emba
9.
Gidey Tesfamicael
M
Apiculture
Saesie-Tsaeda Emba
10.
Mebrehit Gebrehiwot
F
Forage
Saesie-Tsaeda Emba
11.
Mulu Mehari
M
Breeding
Saesie-Tsaeda Emba
12.
Gebrecherkos Gebremeskel
M
Livestock coordinator
Ganta Afeshum
13.
Tsegabu Gebrekidan
M
Apiculture
Ganta Afeshum
14.
Shambel Gidey
M
Breeding
Ganta Afeshum
15.
Meseret Gebre-giorgis
F
Forage
Ganta Afeshum
16.
Atakilty Arefe
M
Zonal expert
Eastern Zone
17.
Gebremedhin Girmay
M
Livestock coordinator
Ahferom
18.
Sahle Gebreselassie
M
Forage
Ahferom
19.
Tesfay Halefom
M
Breeding
Ahferom
20.
Aklilu Mezgebe
M
Poultry
Ahferom
21.
Teklewoiny Gebrerufael
M
Apiculture
Ahferom
22.
Negash mohammed
M
Livestock coordinator
Adwa
23.
Seifu Tadesse
M
Poultry
Adwa
24.
Gebrehiwot Addissu
M
Apiculture
Adwa
25.
Gebrehiwot Gebremicael
M
Breeding
Adwa
7
26.
Hawaria Weres
M
Forage
Adwa
27.
Leake Tesfamariam
M
Livestock coordinator
Laelay Maichew
28.
Mulu Gebrehiwot
M
Poultry
Laelay Maichew
29.
Alemayehu Gebrekristos
M
Forage
Laelay Maichew
30.
Alem Sebhat
M
Apiculture
Laelay Maichew
31.
Teklegiorgis Assefa
M
Zonal livestock expert
Central Zone
32.
Getachew Teklehaimanot
M
Regional forage expert
Region
33.
Mussie Girmay
M
Regional breeding expert
Region
34.
Gebreselassie Hagos
M
Regional poultry expert
Region
8
2. Annex 2: ToT program
Date
January 21,
2015: Feed
Improvement
January 21,
2015:
Apiculture
Time
Event
Facilitator
8:00-8:30
Registration
Amare
8:30-9:00
Introduction and gap identification
questionnaire
Yayneshet
9:00-10:30
EM use for improving fibrous feeds
Gedion
10:30-11:00
Health break
LIVES
11:00-12:30
EM use for improving fibrous feeds
Gedion
12:30-14:00
Lunch
Self
14:00-15:30
Practical demonstration
Gedion/Dawit/Haile/Yayneshet
15:30-16:00
Health break
LIVES
16:00-17:30
Practical demonstration
Gedion/Dawit/Haile/Yayneshet
17:30-18:30
Discussion/Feedback/action plan
Yayneshet
8:00-830
Registration
Amare
8:30-9:00
Introduction and gap identification
questionnaire
Dawit/Haile
9:00-10:30
Honeybee feeding strategies
Haftom/Guesh
10:30-11:00
Health break
LIVES
11:00-12:30
Honeybee pests and diseases;
seasonal colony management
Haftom/Guesh
12:30-14:00
Lunch
Self
14:00-15:30
Queen rearing and management
Haftom/Guesh
15:30-16:00
Health break
LIVES
16:00-17:30
Hive product handling/quality
control (Honey and beeswax)
Haftom/Guesh
17:30-18:30
Discussion/Feedback/action plan
Yayneshet
9
January 22,
2015: Feed
Improvement
January 23,
2015: Dairy
Management
January 24,
8:30-9:00
Introduction and gap identification
questionnaire
Yayneshet
9:00-10:30
EM use for improving fibrous feeds
Gedion
10:30-11:00
Health break
LIVES
11:00-12:30
EM use for improving fibrous feeds
Gedion
12:30-14:00
Lunch
Self
14:00-15:30
Practical demonstration
Gedion/Dawit/Haile/Yayneshet
15:30-16:00
Health break
LIVES
16:00-17:30
Practical demonstration
Gedion/Dawit/Haile/Yayneshet
17:30-18:30
Discussion/Feedback/action plan
Yayneshet
8:30-9:00
Gap identification questionnaire
Dawit/Haile
9:00-10:30
Feeding of calves and replacement
heifers, dry pregnant and lactating
cows
Yayneshet
10:30-11:00
Health break
LIVES
11:00-12:30
Reproductive management
Tadesse/Desta-Alem
12:30-14:00
Lunch
Self
14:00-15:30
Reproductive management
Tadesse/Desta-Alem
15:30-16:00
Health break
LIVES
16:00-17:30
Milk handling and processing
Haftom
17:30-18:30
Discussion/Feedback/action plan
Yayneshet
8:30-9:00
Gap identification questionnaire
Haile
9:00-10:30
Feeding and day old chicks, pullets,
and layers
Bruh/Mekelle Farm
10:30-11:00
Health break
LIVES
11:00-12:30
Poultry housing designs
Bruh
12:30-14:00
Lunch
Self
10
2015: Poultry
Management
(parallel
session)
14:00-15:30
Poultry diseases management
Mekelle Farm
15:30-16:00
Health break
LIVES
16:00-17:30
Hatchery management
Bruh
17:30-18:30
Discussion/Feedback/action plan
Haile/Bruh
8:30-9:00
Gap identification questionnaire
Dawit
9:00-10:30
Small ruminant feeding strategies
Yayneshet
January 24,
2015: Small
ruminant
management
(parallel
session)
10:30-11:00
Health break
LIVES
11:00-12:30
Small ruminant feeding strategies
Yayneshet
12:30-14:00
Lunch
Self
14:00-15:30
Reproductive management
Yayneshet
15:30-16:00
Health break
LIVES
16:00-17:30
Community based sheep breeding
Yayneshet
17:30-18:30
Discussion/Feedback/action plan
Yayneshet/Dawit
Whole day
Action plan preparation and
presentation; Demonstration
materials use; identifying potential
EM suppliers/agents
Yayneshet/Dawit/Haile
January 25,
2015:
11
3. Annex 3: Sample action plans
Ahferom
Apiculture
1
2
Activities
Parti
cipan
t no
Training
farmers
30
Bee technician
3
DAs
3
Training activities
2.1
Honeybee feeding strategies
2.2
Honeybee pest and diseases
2.3
Seasonal colony management
2.5
Beekeeping on transitional
hive
Why /purpose
How /Method

To improve
the production and
productivity of honey
and honeybees on
small-scale farmers in
related market
linkage system

To create and
support available
service for the
farmers

Theore
tical and video
supported

Two
way learning
system
 Group
desiccation
on
phenomena
 Experience
sharing on
best farms
 Practical
on field
When/Ti
me
frame
With whom?
 LIVES
Support
needed
/from
whom
Materials needed
 LIVES 
 Researc 
h

center 
Manual (cd ppt)
Stationery
Honey container
Re fractometer
February 18-20/2015
S/n
3
NB;- Facilitator and trainers #1
12
Dairy
1
2
Activities
Training
Farmers
40
AI technician
2
Animal health assistance
4
Das
3
Cooperative /union
1
Training activities
2.1
Feeding heifer ,lactating caw,
calves
2.2
Housing management
2.3
Feed implementing using EM
and urea treatment
2.4
Vaccination and treatment
calendar
2.5
AI calendar
3
Parti
cipan
t no
Why /purpose

To improve
the production and
productivity of dairy
caws on small-scale
farmers in related
market linkage system
 To improve
Ingenious breed
 To create and
support available
Extension service
for the farmers
How /Method

Theore
tical and video
supported

Two
way learning
system
 Group
desiccation
on
phenomena
 Experience
sharing on
best farms
 Practical
on field
When/Ti
me
frame
With whom?
 LIVES

 BOARD

 Woreda and
tabia
Administrat
or
 Input
supply
Februar22-224/2015
S/n
Support
needed
/from
whom
Materials needed
LIVES 
Researc 
h

Center 



Lactometer
Manual (cd ppt)
Stationery
6 litter EM
16 litter molasses
80kg wheat bran
2m*2m Plastic
sheet
 20 kg urea
 8 Bucket

40 litter EM introducing to the
farmers and implementing the each
farmer
13
Poultry
1
2
Activities
Parti
cipan
t no
Training
Farmers
40
Animal health assistance
4
Das
3
Poultry agent
2
Training activities
2.1
Feeding and handling of
day-old chicken, pullets and
layers
2.2
Housing management and
design
2.3
Vaccination and treatment
calendar
2.4
Biosecurity
3
Using EM treated feed in 40
farmers
4
Constricting Model poultry
house in 5 farmers
Why /purpose
How /Method

To improve
the production and
productivity of
chickens on smallscale farmers in
related market
linkage system

To create and
support available
Extension service for
the farmers


Theore
tical and video
supported

Two
way learning
system
 Group
desiccation
on
phenomena
 Experience
sharing on
best farms
 Practical
on field
When/Ti
me
frame
With whom?
 LIVES

 BOARD

 Woreda and
tabia
Administrat
or
 Input
Support
needed
/from
whom
LIVES 
Researc
h

Center 

Materials needed
Feeder and
drinker
Manual (cd ppt)
Stationery
Mesh wire
supply
February 26-28/2015
S/n
14
Laelay Maichew
Dairy
What activity
Why(purpose)
I. Feeding of calves,
farmers have low
replacement heifers,
knowledge & Skill
dry pregnant cows&
Lactating cows
II.Reproductive management
of dairy cows
the farmers low
knowhow on
reproductive of cow
III.Milking procedures &
Milking handling methods
the farmers have
misunderstand/gaps
on milking &
How(method)
Theoretical and by
practical
trianing, preparing
Training
manual, by
pictures& video
show Group
discussions
& experience
sharing
Theoretical and
by practical
training,
preparing Training
manual,
by pictures& video
show
Group discussions
&by best
experience sharing
Theoretical and
by practical
training,
preparing Training
.
When( Time
Frame)
January 810/2007
January 810/2007
With Whom?
(Stockholder)
Supported need
(From whom)
LIVES
wereda
Stationeries-LIVE
materials-Wereda
&
DA'S
LIVES
LIVES
Videos ,Pictures
wereda
DA'S
January 810/2007
LIVES
Videos ,Pictures-
wereda
DA'S
Milking materials
(LIVES& wereda)
15
handlings
IV.EM Uses for improving
fibrous feeds& its
It is a new technology
to the farmers
applications
VI. Practical demonstration
farmers have low
on EM, urea Treatment,
knowledge in Skill
urea molasses block, silage
manual,
by pictures& video
show
Group discussions
&by best
experience sharing
Theoretical and
by practical
training,
preparing Training
manual,
by pictures& video
show
Group discussions
preparing training
manual,
Theoretical and
practical
training using
pictures&
video show group
discussions
Beekeeping
What activity
I. Training on bee keeping
calendar
Why(purpose)
Upgrade the
knoiwlege &Skill of
the beekeeper
How(method)
Theoretical and
by practical
training,
preparing Training
manual,
cooperative
lekatit 8-10/2007
LIVES
EM, Molasess,
wereda
Wheat Bran-LIVES
DA'S
cooperative
January 810/2007
.
When( Time
Frame)
January1214/2007
wereda
EM, Molasses,
DA'S
Wheat Bran-LIVES
With Whom?
(Stockholder)
Supported need
(From whom)
LIVES
wereda
Stationeries-LIVE
materials-wereda
&
DA'S
LIVES
16
by pictures& video
show
Group discussions
II. Seasonal management of
honey bee colonies
III. Honeybee feeding
management & Strategies
Farmers have
Shortage
of skill & Knowhow
There are gaps on skill
knowledge &Skill of
farmers
IV.Honey bee apiary site
selection
There are gaps on skill
knowledge &Skill of
farmers
V.How to prepare of honey
There are gaps on skill
bee flora calendar,
knowledge &Skill of
Productivity ,
farmers
Theoretical and
by practical
training,
preparing Training
manual,
by pictures& video
show
Group discussions
Theoretical and
practical training,
preparing Training
manual,
by pictures& video
show
Group discussions
Theoretical and
by practical
training,
preparing Training
manual,
Theoretical and
by practical
training,
preparing Training
manual,
January1214/2007
LIVES
wereda
DA'S
January1214/2007
LIVES
wereda
DA'S
January1214/2007
LIVES
wereda
DA'S
January1214/2007
LIVES
wereda
DA'S
17
Poultry
.
What activity
Why(purpose)
I. Feeding& feeding
management day old chicks,
farmers have
Shortage
of skill & Knowhow
pullets& layers
II. Housing design of poultry
There are gaps on skill
knowledge &Skill of
farmers
III. Hatchery management
There are gaps on skill
knowledge &Skill of
farmers
IV. Poultry Predators,
pests & diseases
management
There are gaps on skill
knowledge &Skill of
farmers
How(method)
Theoretical and
practical training,
preparing Training
manual,
by pictures&
Group discussions
Theoretical and
practical training,
preparing Training
manual,
by pictures&
Group discussions
Theoretical training,
preparing Training
manual,
by pictures&
Group discussions
Theoretical training,
preparing Training
manual,
by pictures&
Group discussions
When( Time
Frame)
January1618/2007
January1618/2007
With Whom?
(Stockholder)
Supported need
(From whom)
LIVES
wereda
Stationeries-LIVE
materials-wereda
DA'S
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wereda
DA'S
January1618/2007
LIVES
wereda
DA'S
January1618/2007
LIVES
wereda
DA'S
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