Upscaling of community-based breeding programs in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia pilot community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) have been designed and implemented since 2010 by a team of researchers from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Livestock Research Institute, BOKU University, Austria and Ethiopian National Agricultural Research Centers. These programs were evaluated and found to be technically feasible to implement, result in measurable genetic gains and socioeconomic benefits to the rural poor. The Ethiopian Government has accepted CBBP as the strategy of choice for genetic improvement of small ruminants. Consequently, the Livestock and Fisheries sector development projects has adopted CBBP and CBBP is being upscaled in Ethiopia through partnership between Ministry of Agriculture and ICARDA. ICARDA was subcontracted to technically assist the upscale operation and a formal contract was signed in December 2019. This brief report outlines the accomplishments of the project during November 2020 to November 2021. Components of the project: The major activities to be undertaken in the project are the following: 1. Strengthen small ruminant community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) 2. Design breeding structure and disseminate improved genotype 3. Establish database and recording system 4. Monitor and evaluation of the breeding program 5. Market linkages 6. Establish field solutions for dissemination of improved genetics