| dc.description.abstract | Small ruminant production is a major component of the livestock sector in Ethiopia owing to
the large population of 30.70 million sheep and 30.20 million goat head (CSA, 2016). They
account for 40% of cash income earned by farm households, 19% of the total value of
subsistence food derived from all livestock production, and 25% of total domestic meat
consumption (Hirpa & Abebe, 2008).
Ethiopia is home for diverse small ruminant population, which is distributed across different
agro ecological zones of the country. Small ruminant populations in Ethiopia are characterized
by presence of high genetic diversity within and between breed (Alemu, 2004; Gizaw et al.,
2007a), low productivity potential of the animals and kept under traditional extensive system
(Gizaw et al., 2010a).
Small ruminant has been significantly supporting the livelihood of smallholder farmers, they
serve as living bank for their owners, cultural heritage of the communities, source of
immediate cash need, medicinal value and insurance against crop failure especially where land
productivity is low and unreliable due to erratic rainfall, severe erosion, frost, and water
logging problems (Gizaw, 2009; Tibbo et al., 2006).
Despite the large numbers and the multiple roles small ruminants, farmer and national level
small ruminant productivity in Ethiopia, is considered low as compared to productivity levels
in developed livestock industries of the world (Gizaw et al., 2010a). This low level of productivity could be attributed to several factors, chief among them is low genetic potential
of the animals (Abebe et al., 2010). However, successful and sustained genetic improvement
programs of indigenous breeds and populations of small ruminants under smallholder
production condition are rare (Kosgey et al., 2006; Tibbo et al., 2006).
To satisfy the growing demand for animal products, under the national level sheep breeding
program crossbreeding has been opted as an option using high producer exotic genotypes to
improve the genetic potential of indigenous animals. Since 2007 G.C, large numbers of Dorper
sheep were imported from South Africa to form the backbone of crossbreeding program
designed to utilize the fast growth rate and larger carcass of this animals with the native
adaptability and toughness of local breeds.
In an attempt to support such endeavors ICARDA, ILRI and BOKU university in partnership
with the national agricultural research system in Ethiopia designed and implemented a new
approach called community-based breeding programs (CBBP) for four selected sheep breeds
(Menz, Bonga, Horro, and Afar breeds) to improve body weight and reproductive performance
through selection (Haile et al., 2013).
Since 2012 G.C, Debre Berhan agriculture research center crossbreeding has been
implemented at villages in the lowland areas of North Showa and around Debre Berhan town
using pure and 50% blood level Dorper rams to improve the genetic potential of local sheep.
In addition, the research center with the collaboration of ICARDA has been implemented
CBBP in the Menz areas to improve the body weight and reproductive performances of Menz
sheep through selection. | en_US |
