Community‐based breeding programmes are a viable solution for Ethiopian small ruminant genetic improvement but require public and private investments

• Autores: Haile, Aynalem; Gizaw, Solomon; Getachew, Tesfaye; Mueller, Joaquin Pablo; Amer, Peter; Rekik, Mourad; Rischkowsky, Barbara
• Año de publicación: 2019
• Idioma: inglés
• Tipo de recurso: artículo
• Fuente: Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics : 1-10 (2019)
• Materia: Rumiante; Oveja; Cabra; Ganadería; Ganado; Mejoramiento Animal; Small Ruminants; Ewes; Nannygoats; Animal Husbandry; Livestock; Animal Breeding; Etiopía
• Institución: Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria

Ethiopia has a large and diverse population of small ruminants, which contribute substantially to the livelihood and income of the rural poor and the country at large. However, the sector faces a number of challenges. Productivity per animal and flock offtake are both very low. Reasons attributed for the apparent low productivity are as follows: absence of appropriate breeding programmes, lack of technical capacity, inadequate and poor‐quality feeds, diseases leading to high lamb mortality, and underdeveloped markets in terms of infrastructure and information. Historically, sheep and goats have received little policy or investment attention. Genetic improvement of small ruminants could contribute to bridging the productivity gap. In the past, the government of Ethiopia has placed much emphasis on importing exotic genetics and cross‐breeding with local stock as a strategy for genetic improvement. However, this has not led to a significant productivity improvement and the programmes have generally been unsustainable. Currently, there is a change in approach and a recognition of the need to focus genetic improvement efforts on the local genetic resources that are well adapted to the diverse agro‐ecologies and production environments in the country. Community‐based breeding programmes (CBBPs), which focus on indigenous stock and consider farmers’ needs, views, decisions and active participation, from inception through to implementation, have been identified as programmes of choice. The Ethiopian government and the private sector need to invest in strategic areas around CBBPs to make the programme work for the poor and be sustainable in low‐input systems.
Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche
Fil: Haile, Aynalem. International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas; Etiopía
Fil: Gizaw, Solomon. International Livestock Research Institute; Etiopía
Fil: Getachew, Tesfaye. International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas; Etiopía
Fil: Mueller, Joaquin Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentina
Fil: Amer, Peter. AbacusBio Limited; Nueva Zelanda
Fil: Rekik, Mourad. International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas; Jordania
Fil: Rischkowsky, Barbara. International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas; Etiopía