Community-based sheep breeding programs in Ethiopia generated substantial genetic gains and socio-economic benefits
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Aynalem Haile, Tesfaye Getachew, Tadele Mirkena, Gemeda Duguma, Solomon Gizaw Assefa, Maria Wurzinger, Johann Sölkner, Ally Okeyo Mwai, Tadelle Dessie, Abebe Atilaw, Zelalem Abate, Temesgen Jembere, Mourad Rekik, Raimundo Nonato Braga Lobo, Joram Mwacharo, Terfa Zelalem, Girma Kassie, Barbara Rischkowsky. (14/3/2019). Community-based sheep breeding programs in Ethiopia generated substantial genetic gains and socio-economic benefits.
Abstract
In small ruminants, Community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) have been
suggested as an alternative to centralized government-controlled breeding schemes
which were implemented in many developing countries. An innovative
methodological framework on how to design, implement and sustain CBBPs was
tested in three sites/breeds (Bonga, Horro and Menz) in Ethiopia. In our CBBPs,
selection traits identified through participatory approaches were six-month weights in
all the three sites, and in Horro and Bonga, where resources, particularly feed and
water, permit larger litter sizes, twinning rate was included. Ten years (2009-2018)
performance data from the programs were analyzed using Average Information
Restricted Maximum Likelihood method (AI-REML). Additionally, socio-economic
impact of CBBPs were assessed. Results indicated that six months weight, the major
selection trait in our CBBPs, increased over the years in all breeds. In Bonga, the
average increase was 0.21 ± 0.018 kg/year, followed by average increase of 0.18 ±
0.007kg/year in Horro and 0.11 ± 0.003 kg/year for Menz. This is quite substantial in
an on-farm situation. The birth weight of lambs has not improved over the years in
Bonga and Horro sheep. In Menz, there is significant increase. Given that we have
not selected for birth weight in the community flocks we did not expect genetic
change. However, there could have been a positive effect through correlated
responses which was not the case in Bonga and Horro sheep. In Horro and Bonga
sheep, where twinning rate was one of the selection traits, litter size increased over
the years: 15.4% in Bonga and 11.6% in Horro. This increase combined with the
increased six months body weight has increased income (20 percent) and farm-level
meat consumption (from slaughter of one sheep per year to three). The results show
that CBBPs are technically feasible, result in measurable genetic gains in
performance traits and impact on the livelihood of farmers.
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Author(s) ORCID(s)
Haile, Aynalem https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5914-0487
Getachew, Tesfaye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0544-6314
Gizaw Assefa, Solomon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7489-062X
Mwai, Ally Okeyo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2379-7801
Dessie, Tadelle https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1630-0417
Rekik, Mourad https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7455-2017
Mwacharo, Joram https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6981-8140
Kassie, Girma https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7430-4291
Rischkowsky, Barbara https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0035-471X
Getachew, Tesfaye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0544-6314
Gizaw Assefa, Solomon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7489-062X
Mwai, Ally Okeyo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2379-7801
Dessie, Tadelle https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1630-0417
Rekik, Mourad https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7455-2017
Mwacharo, Joram https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6981-8140
Kassie, Girma https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7430-4291
Rischkowsky, Barbara https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0035-471X