Published in PLOS One on 2026-02-09, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Desalegn Begna, Zemene Yohannes, Netsanet Jote, Girma Teshome, Alemnew Mekonen
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0338019
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Livestock feeding practices play a pivotal role in sustaining agricultural productivity and food security in Ethiopia. However, the sector continues to face structural challenges, including a heavy reliance on traditional feed resources and pronounced regional disparities. This study utilized secondary data from the Agricultural Sample Surveys conducted annually by the Central Statistical Agency (2004/05–2018/19) to assess feeding practices, examine regional variations, and analyze long-term trends. Descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and correspondence analysis were applied. Different data analytical techniques were employed, including descriptive statistics, trend analysis, and Correspondence Analysis (CA), were employed to monitor livestock feeding practices, examine the regional differences, and explore trends over the long horizon. Results showed a decline in reliance on green fodder (from 40.3% to 36.9%) and crop residues (from 33.5% to 32.0%), accompanied by a modest increase in the use of improved feeds (0.15% to 0.90%) and agro-industrial by-products (2.7% to 4.6%). Regional differences were substantial: Afar predominantly used green fodder (82%), while Harari relied more on crop residues (41%). In high-livestock-population regions such as Amhara, Oromia, and SNNP, feeding practices varied according to resource availability and management strategies. These findings underscore the need for targeted, region-specific interventions to enhance feed availability, promote adoption of sustainable and cost-effective feeding systems, and address persistent demand–supply imbalances. The evidence also offers insights for policy reforms in other agriculture-based developing economies.
Introduction
In sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, livestock feed is predominantly sourced from locally available materials, primarily natural products such as grains, forages, and agro-processing by-products [1,2]. The feed sector faces mounting pressure from growing demand for livestock products, driven by rapid population growth, alongside constraints from climate change and limited resources. Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa, is projected to grow from over 120 million people today to approximately 200 million by 2050. Rising demand for animal protein, fuelled by urbanization and income growth, presents both opportunities and constraints for agricultural and livestock development. Additionally, demand for animal protein is rising increasing due to accompanying urbanization and income growth which provides both opportunities and constraint for agricultural and livestock development. Maintaining livestock productivity will require sustainable production systems, which fundamentally depend on addressing Ethiopia’s feed challenges to meet the needs of its growing population [3].
Ethiopia possesses a large and genetically diverse livestock population that plays a pivotal role in the nation’s socio-economic development. The government considers the livestock sector a driver of economic growth and promotes investments that stimulate agro-industrial development. The sector generates export revenue from meat, dairy, and leather products, provides employment for millions of rural smallholder farmers, and attracts industrial investment in feed processing plants, slaughterhouses, and value-added processing. By leveraging its rich livestock genetic resources, Ethiopia aims to make the sector a catalyst for economic transformation and sustainable development [4]. However, a persistent feed supply shortage continues to constrain the sector’s performance and limit its contribution to the national economy [5]. Feed is central to livestock growth and transformation, as its availability and quality directly determine production levels, product quality, and economic viability [6,7]. As a limited resource, feed is competed for by all livestock species, underscoring its critical role in achieving economic, social, and environmental objectives [8,9]. Consequently, Ethiopia’s livestock sector exhibits clear signs of feed scarcity, including low milk yields (1.4 liters/day), slow growth rates, prolonged calving and lambing intervals, and delayed maturity manifestations of inadequate feed availability [5]. Traditionally, livestock feeding in Ethiopia has relied on natural forages, agricultural by-products, grazing pastures, stubble feeding (aftermath), and similar resources [8,10–12]. As demand for livestock products continues to grow [13–15], several reports indicate that the sustainability of these traditional feed resources is under threat due to land degradation, farmland expansion, climate variability, and inefficient farming practices [16,17]. However, comprehensive information on long-term (15-year) trends in Ethiopia’s feed landscape is lacking, particularly regarding production dynamics, sourcing patterns, regional variations, and the factors influencing these practices. Previous research has described the livestock sector but offers limited empirical analysis of feed sources and related regional dynamics over this period. This study addresses this gap by measuring changes in feed sources and usage trends from 2004/05–2018/19, and by examining spatial and temporal patterns across Ethiopia’s regions. Specifically, it tracks declines in traditional feed sources, the slow uptake of improved feeds, and significant geographical disparities in feeding practices. Correspondence and trend analyses are used to describe the structural challenges facing Ethiopia’s livestock sector. In sum, the study aims to inform policymakers about Ethiopia’s feed-related needs to meet growing demand for livestock products by increasing feed availability, improving livestock productivity, and promoting sustainable agricultural development.
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider financing & policy desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Desalegn Begna, Zemene Yohannes, Netsanet Jote, Girma Teshome, Alemnew Mekonen. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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