In aridand semi-arid agro-ecologies of Ethiopia, livelihoods are chiefly based onlivestock that play numerous economic, social and risk management roles.Climate change and variability is expected to aggravate the vulnerability oflivestock systems and encourages factors that affect livestock production. Forpastoral communities, it leads to unceasing poverty with long-term effects onlivelihoods through increasing temperatures and changing rainfall patternsresulting in decreased productivity of forage and rangeland resources as wellas increased spread of vector-borne diseases and parasites. To work againstthese consequences, one of the strategic options is to scale-up proven technologiesthat augment the adaptive capacity of pastoral and agropastoral communities. Inthe context of livestock production, among the most proven feed technologicaloptions is enhancement of urea-molasses multi-nutrient block (MNB), which willbe considered here.

Livestockproduction in developing countries is largely dependent on fibrous feeds,mainly on crop residue and low-quality pasture which are deficient in nitrogen,readily fermentable energy, minerals and vitamins. Protein supplements such asoil cakes are expensive in developing countries, if available at all. This hasled to the use of nonprotein nitrogen sources such as urea, to compensate forthe nitrogen deficiency in fibrous feeds. Coupling the use of urea with asource of readily fermentable energy such as molasses, helps the growth ofmicro-organisms in the rumen, which digests the fibrous feeds. This increasesthe digestion and consumption of fibrous feeds allowing the animal to maintain,and often increase, productivity.

Theseadvantages, together with the benefits of enhanced productivity in terms ofincreased milk and meat production and higher reproductive efficiency inruminant animal species, have led to the adoption of block technology in manycountries of the region. Many international organisations have played importantroles in disseminating these technologies.

Theproduction and use of MNB meaningfully contributed towards the protection ofthe livestock asset, post-drought recovery and enhancing pastoral andagropastoral communities’ resilience to feed-related shocks. In regions likeAfar and Somali, where recurring droughts and years of mismanagement havesubstantially reduced the availability of pasture, the fairly low-cost MNBconstitutes useful complementary survival or production feed.

The MNBsare being used in many woredas of Afar, Somali and Oromia regions of Ethiopia.This has been possible with the help of different non-governmentalorganisations. Through task forces established at woreda and kebele levels,most vulnerable members of the community were given the first priority ofreceiving the MNBs. 

Challenges:

§  Costliness of inputs like supplementalfeeds and other inputs used for urea molasses block making when theseinterventions are used

§  Limited number of technologymultiplication centres

§  Poor access to market and marketingsystems

Recommendationfor addressing the challenges:

§  The use of locally available resourcesfor multi-nutrient block preparation

§  Formation of many MNB producercooperatives

§  Improved market accessibility

§  Training and awareness creation amongthe community on the production, utilisation and contribution of the technology

§  Access to credit

Lessonslearnt about the best ways to get technologies or innovations used:

§  Ensuring the suitability of technologiesto particular pastoral livelihood systems is a key parameter for success

§  Orienting technological interventions tomarket ensures sustainability of the interventions

§  Multi-stakeholder approach is veryimportant to get technologies moving

§  Improving pastoralist capacity toinnovate is key for technologies to impact their livelihood (disruption of thepastoral social and cultural institutions should be prohibited)

§  Availability of technological inputsenhances the continuity of the intervention.

Technologieslike MNB development interventions were focusing on the involvement of women,and evidence indicates that there was better sustainability. MNB producercooperatives formed in Afar regions of Ethiopia are dominated by women and theyare found to be effective and sustainable in the production and disseminationof the technology. This is an indication for gender consideration.

1.    Howto make multi-nutrient blocks

Multi-nutrientblocks can be manufactured on the farm. Manufacture is easy and simple anddifferent processes exist which may be used according to local conditions. Themanufacturing can be divided into four stages:

1.     Preparingthe ingredient

§  Mixing

§  Moulding

§  Drying

The quantityof the different ingredients depends on the size of the block to bemanufactured and the formula to be used. Good mixing is crucial for good blockmaking. Urea must be mixed thoroughly by breaking up lumps to avoid pockets ofhigh concentration that could harm animals.

2.     Proceduresfor making block as outlined by EARO (2004)

§  Add urea to molasses and mix it forabout 20 minutes

§  Add salt with cement into 0.6 l of water(equivalent to 40% of its weight) and mix

§  Combine the ingredients under items 1and 2

§  Add wheat bran and mix

§  Add noug cake and mix

§  Add mineral source and mix

§  Ready to shape

Once theingredients are thoroughly mixed, place the mixture into moulds. Any localcontainer such as tin cans or small buckets can be used as a mould. Using aplastic sheet to line the moulds will make block removal from the mould easier.

3.     Safetymeasures in the use of MNB

Whenblocks are first introduced to adult cattle on straw-based diets, about 50% ofthe animals adapt immediately while others take up to 14 days before theyconsume an appreciable quantity. Those that adapt quickly often consume largeamounts of the block, although intake appears to be fairly regular over 24hours. Concern will then be expressed about the possibility of over-consumptionof the block and therefore danger of ammonia toxicity. Cattle must be adaptedto graded levels of urea increment in the block and in the case of suddenintroduction of urea, restriction must be made to the daily intake of MNB.However, ammonia toxicity will not be a problem apparently because of the slowrate of intake. Bear in mind that MNB is best introduced to animals that arenot hungry (for example, in the evening after a day of grazing or after theroughage portion of the diet is eaten).

4. Recommendations for blockeffectiveness

§  The blocks must only be used to solvepractical problems encountered by farmers, for example the lack of a nitrogensource particularly when animals are fed on fibrous crop residues or poorquality pastures.

§  The quality of the block must beconsistent. If the block is too soft, there may be risks of toxicity resultingfrom the high intake of urea. However, if it is too hard, the intake will betoo low to have any effect on the animals.

Name and contact of the organisation:

EthiopianInstitute of Agricultural Research (EIAR),

P. O.Box 2003,

AddisAbaba, Ethiopia.

Tel:251-11-6460380;

Fax:251-11- 6461251

Name and contact of presenter:

DribaGeleti,

P. O.Box 2003,

AddisAbaba, Ethiopia;

Email: dgeleti2005@yahoo.com;

Mobile:+251 911 339817

Name and contact of key scientists:

AemiroKehaliew,

P. O.Box 2003,

AddisAbaba, Ethiopia;

Email: aemirok@yahoo.com;

Mobile:+251-91105 06 84;

Fax:+251-112370377

DribaGeleti,

P. O.Box 2003,

AddisAbaba, Ethiopia;

Email: dgeleti2005@yahoo.com;

Mobile:0911339817

Plate2.3: Making the MNB.

Plate2.4: Samples of completed MNBs.