Rangeland resources are among the most important – and almost certainly the most neglected – agro ecosystem component in dry areas. They are the largest land-use category, home to the poorest segment of the population, and crucial for millions of small-scale livestock producers. The availability of grazing resources for livestock in the world’s drylands is low and erratic due to the recurrent droughts in which animals can often fall victim.

Discusses the historical context of ILCA's research, the principal types of animal production systems and the stages in ILCA's farming systems research. Describes the smallholder farming in the Ethiopian highlands & humid zone, the agropastoralists of the sub-humid zone, systems research in pastoral areas of eastern Africa (Kenya & Ethiopia), characteristics of the arid and semi-arid zones of West Africa and the role of modelling in the system. Ends with a summary of past experience.

The aim of the study was to assess productive and reproductive performance of indigenous and their crossbred of different exotic blood level of dairy cows and factors affecting their performance in Rural, peri-urban and urban, farming system of West Shoa Zone, Oromia State, Ethiopia. A total of 180 small-scale dairy cows owners were purposively selected and interviewed with pre-tested structured questionnaire to obtain information.