Livestock Research for Rural Development 25 (10) 2013 Guide for preparation of papers LRRD Newsletter Citation of this paper Characterization of milk production systems in and around Boditti, South Ethiopia Asrat Ayza, Zelalem Yilma* and Ajebu Nurfeta** Department of Animal and Range Sciences, School of Agriculture, Madawalabu University P.O. Box 247, Bale-Robe, Ethiopia. ayzaasrat@gmail.com * Heifer International, East Africa Dairy Development Country Program Mobilization Coordination Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. ** School of Animal and Range Sciences, College of Agriculture, Hawassa University, P.O.Box 5, Hawassa, Ethiopia. Abstract The study was conducted in and around Boditti town, Southern Ethiopia with the objective of characterizing milk production systems in the area. A total of 120 households were randomly selected from four Kebeles, two in Boditti town and the rest from surrounding. Two major dairy production systems, namely urban and rural or mixed crop/livestock production systems were identified. Average cattle holding per household in the area was 3.4 with 1.1 lactating cows. Husbandry practices such as feeding, watering, housing, breeding, milking, calf rearing, waste management, and record keeping were different in the two production systems. Overall, about 3.25 liters of milk was produced daily per household. Major constraints for dairy development in the area include: animal feeds, land and water scarcity, discouraging market, low rate of genetic improvement, etc. Rapid urbanization coupled with increase in human population and standard of living of the urban dwellers and conducive climate of the area can be considered as an opportunity for the development of dairy in the area. Therefore, market opportunity and linkages are the major issues for smallholder dairy development in addition to provision of the required services and resources, provision of credit, extension and training. Key words: mixed practices, rural, smallholder, urban