AUTHOR=Fufa Abera Jabessa , Mekonnen Kefala Taye , Beyenssa Befekadu Chemere , Fufa Hewani Jabessa 
  
TITLE=Livestock production, productivity, and sustainability in Ethiopian pastoral systems: evidence from Fentale District
  
JOURNAL=Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice
  
VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2026
  
YEAR=2026
  
URL=https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/journals/pastoralism-research-policy-and-practice/articles/10.3389/past.2026.16409
  
DOI=10.3389/past.2026.16409
  
ISSN=2041-7136
  
ABSTRACT=Livestock production is crucial for the livelihoods of pastoral societies in Ethiopia, specifically in arid and semi-arid lowlands, where crop farming is limited. This study aimed to assess livestock production, productivity, and sustainability in pastoral systems in the Fentale District of Ethiopia. A mixed methods approach was employed, integrating household surveys (n = 344), key informant interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. The results showed that camels contributed the highest number of tropical livestock units (9.86), followed by cattle, indicating that multiple species diversification is a key adaptation strategy. Natural grazing provided 60% of the feed, but 99.7% of the households reported that they did not have enough feed. This problem was mostly because there was insufficient grazing (69%), and bush encroachment took over (31%). Water scarcity was identified as the major production constraint (63%), and in the dry season, livestock had to walk up to 4 hours to get water. Only 24.7% of the households used extension services, and 76% did not have access to veterinary clinics. However, 52% of the farmers did not benefit from livestock markets because they were too far away and had weak infrastructure. Traditional practices, such as herd mobility (47%), seasonal feed conservation (Kaloo system) (59%), and trait-based animal selection, were significant coping mechanisms. Thus, this study highlights the critical gaps in livestock productivity, extension services, and policy inclusion. Strengthening essential interventions and providing targeted support are important for enhancing and building more resilient and sustainable pastoral systems in Ethiopia.