Product Description: Fodder is animal feed to be given to domestic animals especially to cattle. Fodder is usually prepared from grass, straws, lucks and seeds. This project idea is to produce animal feed from grass in the form of lay or from leaves in the form of alpha.
Market Potential: Throughout the Amhara region, the sizes of grazing lands have been diminishing every year/ due to the fact these lands are being converted to farms. In almost all parts of the region, there are extreme shortages of both cultivable and grazing land.
About twenty years ago, it was common to see domestic animals grazing in open areas in all parts of the Amhara region both in the dry and rainy seasons. Now in many localities of the region during the people are forced to keep their animals at home during the day because there are no open places (grazing areas) where they can send their animals. It is pity to see these animals tied to poles in the back yards of their owner's homes and crying for food or for want to be released. in the Amhara region, domestic animals usually get their food supply by for aging for food in open "grazing" areas. It is only during the rainy season that owners of domestic animals provide some feed for the animals especially for oxen. Hence if animals do not get sufficient food from open areas, they are starved and this happens mainly during the months of February, March, April, May and June. As a result many animals such as horses, cows, and oxen die during these months.
To increase the supply of animals feed in the Amhara region, a new system of producing such feed should be introduced and developed through out the region. And this system is the commercialization of lay/ fodder production in the region. Given the shortage of animal feed in the region, a business venture which will supply hay/ fodder for urban and rural communities will be financially viable. It will be similar to a business entity that produces and distributes grains. Production of hay will take place in fields which the investor will acquire through lease. Using quality or sprinkler irrigation system, hay could be harvested at least three times a year from one field. The source of water could be a reservoir (pond) well or a nearly stream. Distribution of the feed could be done by compacting and tieing the hay. In some cases, the hay could be cut to smaller pieces and bagged for delivery. Hay may not be the only feed to be produced by such farms. Other plants fit for animal feed could also be produced.
With more than 25 million domestic animals and extreme shortage of animal feed in the region, it is safe to assume that production of hay/ fodder on commercial basis will be a viable venture.
Estimated Investment: Production and distribution of hay will be a small scale operation operated by many individuals in many localities of the region.
For an operation of 10 hectares, the investment cost will be
§ Land (acquisition and Preparation) 10,000
§ Tools and implements 5,000
§ Working capital 10,000
25,000
Benefits: Increases the supply of animal feed, improves the quality of the livestock resources of the region, helps the further development of the livestock sector, increases the income of farmers.
Location: Localities through out the Amhara region.