Genetic-phenotypic and production-system diversity in goat populations in Ethiopia: Options for sustainable production

Global Affairs Canad

Farmers’ perception towards Awassi Menz crossbred sheep and management practice in North Shoa

The study was carried out in Basonawerena and Angolelatera districts in north shoa zone of Amhara region,Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were to assess the perception of the farmers on the distributed crossbredsand the management practice under take in the area. A total of 150 households were selected purposively toassess perception of farmers. Data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaire. The results showed thatthe major feed resources during dry and wet seasons were natural pasture and crop residue. The majority of thefarmers in both districts (94.44% in Basonaworena and 93.33% in Angolelatera) provide special management forthe crossbred lambs. The major diseases in both districts are Fasciola (liver fluke), pasteurolosis and sheep poxin order of importance. Farmers comparative ranking of crossbreds and local sheep showed that crossbred ramswere better in growth, wool production, and appearance but have higher feed requirements, whereas locals werebetter in meat quality (taste) and resistance to disease in both districts.Keywords: Perception, Crossbreeding and management practic

Sheep and goat production and marketing systems in Ethiopia: characteristics and strategies for improvement

Ethiopia is home for a large and diverse livestock resources and favourable production environments. The vast majority of the rural population’s livelihood is partly based on livestock production. However, livestock production and productivity and producers’ benefits from livestock production are far below expectations. Understanding the livestock production and marketing characteristics and producers’ needs and perceptions, identifying constraints and opportunities, and designing workable production strategies are required in order to improve livestock productivity and market success of producers. Based on a series of IPMS studies, this paper synthesises and analyses the characteristics, constraints and opportunities of sheep and goat production and marketing in Ethiopia. The paper also puts forward strategic interventions for improving sheep and goat productivity and producers market success. Livestock production systems in Ethiopia have evolved largely as a result of the influence of the natural production environments and socio-economic circumstances of farmers/ pastoralists, rather than market forces. Livestock production is of subsistence nature. Like all other livestock species, sheep and goat in Ethiopia are kept under traditional extensive systems with no or minimal inputs and improved technologies, which results in characteristically low productivity. They are virtually kept as scavengers, particularly in the mixed crop–livestock systems. Sheep and goat are largely produced in mixed crop–livestock, specialized pastoral and agropastoral systems. Market-oriented or commercial production is almost non-existent. Small flock sizes predominate in the highland mixed crop–livestock systems because of land and capital limitations. Relatively larger flocks are maintained in the lowland (agro) pastoral systems. The major feed resources for sheep and goats include grazing on communal natural pasture, crop stubble, fallow grazing, road side grazing, crop residues, browses, and non-conventional feeds (household food leftovers, weeds, crop tillers and fillers). Production of improved forages, improvement of low quality feed sources such as crop residues and supplementary feeding (except fattening) is almost non-existent

Classification of small ruminant production sub-systems in Ethiopia: Implications for designing development interventions

Part I of this working paper classifies small ruminant sub-systems in the mixed crop livestock system in Ethiopia. In Part II, important determinants of small ruminant productivity and producers’ input use and marketing strategies were analysed across the six small ruminant sub-systems identified in Part I. Classification of livestock production systems forms a useful framework for the spatial targeting of development interventions. Household and community level data collected from 497 communities and 2621 households were used to classify small ruminant sub-systems using principal components and cluster analyses. Exploratory analysis indicated variation and a clear structuring in livestock species and small ruminant flock composition and flock size in the mixed crop-livestock system. The variations were related to agro-ecologies and cropping patterns. Cluster analysis identified six clusters which were designated as sub-systems in the mixed crop-livestock system. The sub-systems were named following the dominant small ruminant species (sheep versus goat) and the degree of intensity/extensiveness of small ruminant production. The sub-systems were spatially characterized and described in terms of producers input use and marketing practices. Small ruminant production in Ethiopia could be classified into two systems (mixed crop-livestock and agro/pastoral) with six sub-systems within the mixed crop-livestock system or into seven systems (the six sub-systems and pastoral/agro-pastoral system)