Komwihangilo D.M., Mkonyi J.I., Masao D.F., Moto E., Mahiza A.M.O., Mnzava V.
National Livestock Research Institute Mpwapwa, P.O. Box 202, Mpwapwa, Tanzania
Komwihangilo, D.M., National Livestock Research Institute Mpwapwa, P.O. Box 202, Mpwapwa, Tanzania; Mkonyi, J.I., National Livestock Research Institute Mpwapwa, P.O. Box 202, Mpwapwa, Tanzania; Masao, D.F., National Livestock Research Institute Mpwapwa, P.O. Box 202, Mpwapwa, Tanzania; Moto, E., National Livestock Research Institute Mpwapwa, P.O. Box 202, Mpwapwa, Tanzania; Mahiza, A.M.O., National Livestock Research Institute Mpwapwa, P.O. Box 202, Mpwapwa, Tanzania; Mnzava, V., National Livestock Research Institute Mpwapwa, P.O. Box 202, Mpwapwa, Tanzania
A study was conducted in Chipogoro and Mtumba villages in order to evaluate the performance of Mpwapwa cattle introduced in respective villages in 1999/2000. Farmers were interviewed in groups or individually using a checklist and a structured questionnaire. Participant observations and review of performance records were also used. Results indicated that crossbred cows of Mpwapwa and Tanzania Shorthorn zebu (TSZ) (MPWxTSZ) produced up to four litres of milk per day under free grazing conditions in Chipogoro village as compared to one litre of milk per day of the pure TSZ cows. Similarly, the Mpwapwa cows kept under zero grazing conditions in Mtumba village produced up to six litres of milk per cow per day. Calf birth-weights of crossbred (MPWxTSZ) varied from 15 to 20kg compared to birth-weights of 10 to 15kg of the traditional TSZ. The average price of milk per litre per day was TSh. 300 (about US $ 0.3). The price of live TSZ cattle varied from TSh. 75,000 (about US $ 75) to 150,000 (about US $ 150) per head under good marketing season though that of MPWxTSZ varied from Tsh. 250,000 (about US $ 250) to 300,000 (about US $ 300). However, agro-pastoralists were not only challenged by inadequacies in quantities and qualities of pasture and incidences of tick borne and other diseases such as ECF and CBPP but also with inadequate extension services.