Breeding Objectives, Selection Criteria and Breeding Practices of Indigenous Goat Population in Ethiopia: A Review

Iranian Journal of Applied Animal Science

دوره 13، شماره 3، آذر 2023، صفحه 413-422   

نوع مقاله: Review Articles

نویسندگان

K. Tilahun^{* 1، 2}؛ S. Betsha²؛ A. Melesse²

¹Department of Animal Science, College of Dry and Agriculture, Kebri Dehar University, Kebri Dehar, Ethiopia

²School of Animal and Range Science, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia

چکیده

Breeding objectives and selection criteria are the main component in small ruminant production and these parameters should be identified to formulate sustainable breeding programs. Farmers select breeding stock to be parents of the next generation by using various criteria in different agro ecologies and production systems. However, selection is practiced by livestock keepers without having knowledge of heritability of traits, repeatability and genetic and phenotypic correlation among traits. Selection is practiced by giving more emphasis for qualitative traits such as color and appearance, which are less relevant to production characters. Under smallholder subsistence production system, goats are mainly kept for multipurpose roles and there is no definite breeding goal. The objectives of keeping goats varied based on production system, socio economic factors, and cultural role. The breeding system that is dominantly practiced by farmers is uncontrolled mating which leads to mating of related animals that in turn may cause loss of fitness and reproductive traits due to the occurrence of inbreeding. The main factors that attributed to uncontrolled mating are the presence of communal grazing land, lack of awareness on the consequence of inbreeding, and lack of sufficient breeding bucks in the flocks. To improve the productivity of the indigenous goat population, farmers should identify the breeding objectives and breeding goal traits and selection should be practiced towards those identified traits based on the recorded performances. The objective of this review is thus to highlight the breeding objectives, selection criteria and breeding practices of indigenous goat types in a wide range production systems of Ethiopia by carefully reviewing recently available literature sources.

کلیدواژه‌ها

breeding objective؛ breeding practice؛ constraints؛ Ethiopia؛ goat؛ selection cri-teria

اصل مقاله

INTRODUCTION

Small ruminant production is an important farming activity (Kosgey et al. 2006),which contribute as source of wide range of products and services for rural farming communities by providing food and income (Kurnianto et al. 2013). Small ruminant provides both tangible (income, meat, milk, skin) and intangible (social, tradition, insurance) benefits for both pastoral and agro-pastoral communities (Kosgey, 2004; Gebreyesus et al. 2012). They are suitable for smallholder agriculture due to their ability in adapting unfavorable tropical climate and their short generation interval (Nigussie et al. 2013; Melesse et al. 2022), their different nutritional regimes, their productivity, small size, and non-competitiveness for food with human (Aziz, 2010). They are also considered as the poor man’s cow because maintaining dairy cow is not affordable by many rural poor farmers (Aziz, 2010).Goat farming is practiced worldwide, with goat products having a favorable image (Gooki et al. 2019; Mohammadabadi, 2019a). The number of goats has increased globally, even in countries with high and intermediate incomes, despite major changes in agriculture due to industrial mergers, globalization, and technological advances in developed countries (Gholamhoseini et al. 2018; Mohammadabadi, 2019b). Goat production is one of the key elements contributing to the economy of farmers living in the arid and semi-arid regions (Barazandeh et al. 2012). The most important goat breeding continents are Asia and Africa (Mohammadabadi and Tohidinejad, 2017). In developing countries, about 96% of the milk and meat producing goat populations are found while 4% are found in developed countries (Mohammadabadi et al. 2021). Increasing meat production using scientific, accurate, and precise selective programs are one of the most important goals for genetic improvement of goats (Moghbeli et al. 2013; Mohammadabadi and Asadollahpour, 2021). This could be achieved by identifying the genotype of reproductive and productive traits of animals and their relationships, through determining the polymorphism and finding the phylogenetic relationships of domestic animals (Nassiry et al. 2005; Norouzy et al. 2005; Mohammadabadi, 2021). Ethiopian goat population is estimated to be 50 million heads (CSA, 2020). Despite, the large population and diversity, their productivity and contribution to the national economy of the country is by far below their potential (Legese and Fadiga, 2014; Solomon et al. 2014; Melesse et al. 2022). In other hand, the human population is continually increasing which in turn increases the demand for animal products (meat, milk and eggs). To meet the growing demand for animal products, improving the productivity per individual animal is essential rather than increasing the number of animal, which would lead to shortage of grazing areas and increases the environmental degradation by over grazing. However, the productivity of indigenous goat populations were limited by many factors, such as lack of feasible and sustainable breeding program (Abraham et al. 2018; Melesse et al. 2022) and uncontrolled mating and negative selection by selling of good performing young animals (Gizaw et al. 2013). Absence of clear strategies to improve productivity (Molla, 2020), poor genetic performance and low input traditional production system (Gizaw et al. 2008) are also additional limiting factors. Thus, to overcome, these challenges cross breeding to combine the adaptive traits of indigenous breed with the productive potentials of exotic breeds (Alemu, 2004) and selective breeding were recommended as suitable options to improve the poor genetic potentials of the local goat population. Moreover, designing and establishment of any genetic improvement programs needs clear understanding of the farming system and evaluation of the existing constraints in that particular areas (Sani et al. 2003). In addition, evaluation and assessing of the farmers selection criteria is a tool to design sustainable genetic improvement program that enables to develop suitable genotype that match with the existing environmental conditions (Bett et al. 2011). Moreover, designing and implementation of genetic improvement scheme needs considering the difference in production systems, farmers priority in utilizing tangible and intangible benefits as well as the breeding objectives of the communities (Dea et al. 2019). The knowledge of breeding objectives and selection criteria are important to the success and sustainability of breeding programs. Therefore, evaluation and understanding of these parameters are essential to create a common understanding and facilitate the formulation of sustainable breeding programs (Haile et al. 2018). Thus, the objective of the present review is to highlight the overall characteristics of the breeding objectives, breeding practices and selection criteria of the indigenous goat population by providing a comprehensive information from the available literature.

 

Goat production systems in Ethiopia

Mixed crop livestock production system

Mixed production system is practiced in the highland and mid altitude areas of the country which ranges between 1500 and 3000 m a.s.l (IBC, 2004). In these areas, the importance of crop is comparable with that of livestock, which is integrated with crop production (Mekuriaw et al. 2016). The area receives abundant rainfall and is suitable for crop production and livestock production where the latter is considered as secondary farming activity. High importance of livestock is observed in areas where crop production is not good (Gizaw et al. 2010). There is free grazing system without any supplementation (Workneh, 2000). This system is mainly characterized by small flock size (Alemu, 2004) and shrinkage of grazing land (Tsegaye et al. 2013; Yemane et al. 2020). These factors lead the communities to shift from large ruminant to small ruminants, as small ruminant can thrive and reproduce on limited grazing area and crop residues (Slozhenkina et al. 2020). Water shortage is not a production constraint in most areas of this system (Mekuriaw et al. 2016). In this system, integration of livestock with crop production is highly important as the livestock manure is used as source of fertilizers for crop production (Yemane et al. 2020). Livestock production in this system further provides oxen as draft animal power for ploughing purposes. Smallholders produce various crop species along with their livestock and mostly wheat, barely, faba bean, field pea, and linseed are produced (Mekuriaw et al. 2016). This production system is practiced in different parts of the country. Ambo, Gondar and Arsi Bale goats are produced under this system (Farm-Africa, 1996). Moreover, in mixed production system there was high soil erosion and nutrient depletion due to the expansion of cropping and shrinkage of grazing land. Milk is a subsidiary product in this areas and skin hair (Gishe) in highland area is locally attractive for making saddle (Abegaz et al. 2008). 

 

Pastoral production system

Pastoral production system is practiced in dry parts of Ethiopia at an altitude below 1500 m. This system is mainly characterized by low rainfall/precipitation, unsuitability for crop production, large land size per households, large flock size and dependency of the communities on livestock production (Abegaz et al. 2008). In some parts of the country, there is slightly cropping practice that helps the pastoralism to evolve to agro-pastoralism (Gizaw et al. 2010). Milk production is the main purpose of goat keeping in this system (Mekuriaw et al. 2016). The main feeding system is browsing on natural pastor and shortage of water is the critical constraint (Gebreyesus et al. 2012). During drought period, pastoralists usually migrate with their livestock to search feeds. This production system is mainly practiced in north-west and eastern parts of Ethiopia (Farm Africa, 1996; Fikru and Gebeyehu, 2015).

 

Agro pastoral system

This system is dominantly practiced in semi-arid parts of Ethiopia. The amount of rainfall is higher than pastoralist and cropping is practiced to some extent (Abegaz et al. 2008). It is the mode of production in the moist low land areas where crop and livestock production is practiced. The system is characterized by transhumant (movement to search feed in dry season) or sedentary (with no movement/stable) production system (Gizaw et al. 2010).

 

Urban and peri-urban production system

Though different livestock species is observed in different towns of the country, this system is less developed. The system includes dairy production and small ruminant fattening (Gizaw et al. 2010). There is no reliable and satisfactory information available for this system. This system calls for action and needs investigation to clearly evaluate the value chain, contribution and their impacts on environment (Solomon et al. 2014). Expansion of urbanization, human population growth and shrinkage of grazing area and the presence of concentrate feed are the cause of this system. The main feed sources are household wastes, wastes around market area, mill leftovers, by products and road side grazing fallow land (Abegaz et al. 2008).

 

Goat breeding objectives

Before developing selection criteria for genetic improvement, the basis of selection needs to be identified. This facilitates the genetic improvement and help to maximize profit and return from the sector. To develop breeding objective, firstly the traits that influences the profitability of the activity needs to be considered and prioritized (Abraham et al. 2018). Under smallholder subsistence farming system of Ethiopia, farmers have multiple breeding objectives and there is no definite breeding goal to be achieved (Yemane et al. 2020). In different parts of the country, goats were kept for milk production, meat production, and reproduction. Farmer’s intention was to maintain breeding goat that are adaptive to the available environmental conditions with higher milk productivity, good appearance and large body frame, fast growing and better reproducing ability (Kebede et al. 2012). During defining and setting breeding objectives particularly in areas where the participatory analysis of the priority problems and the role of goats to overcome these problems need to be evaluated. Moreover, farmers breeding goal is to ensure milk production through increasing daily yield per individual animals and increased fertility per flock through increasing marketable (Gebreyesus et al. 2013). In different areas where goat milk used for human consumption, the farmers’ breeding objectives is mainly to increase milk production. However, in different areas consumption of goat milk is not common due to different cultural taboo and religious issue. In these areas, the objectives of goat breeding should be to attain animals with high growth rate. The breeding objective that is prioritized by the communities and the market demand for that products need to be match for the sustainability of the current objective and to achieve long term economic benefits (Haile et al. 2018). However, identifying breeding objectives is more difficult since it is influenced by social and cultural factors (Gebreyesus et al. 2013). However, setting breeding objective traits is important to increase the profitability of the sector (Abraham et al. 2018). Goat is a multipurpose livestock, which is kept and bred for different purposes; and the breeding objectives varied with production environment and cultural settings. For instance, farmers in Erob district of Tigray region, goats are kept for meat production, income generation, milk production, and breeding purpose as main objectives. The breeding objectives of Abergelle goat breeders were body size, milk yield and mothering ability (kids survival rate) whereas while the breeding objectives of western lowland goat keepers were promoting twining rate, mothering ability, body conformation, and kid growth (Abegaz, 2014). In different parts of Ethiopia, the breeding objectives of farmers and pastoralists are cash income, saving, and meat production for household consumption (Gizaw et al. 2010; Fantahun et al. 2016).

 

Purpose of keeping goats

Farmers and pastoralists keep goat for various purposes in different production system. Milk production for household consumption, as source of cash income and meat production are the primary reasons in which goats are kept in pastoral and agro pastoral production system (Gebeyehu et al. 2013; Abraham et al. 2017; Gebre et al. 2020; Yemane et al. 2022). In pastoralist area, the lives of the communities is culturally attached with livestock production and they used them for different social purposes including different religious and cultural ceremonies (Fantahun et al. 2016; Tesfahun et al. 2017). Goat is also an option to generate income through the sale of live and slaughter animals and there is also high contribution for household consumption through milk and meat (Abegaz, 2014; Takele, 2016). Goat has many roles in the communities and they serve as a means of regular cash income, source of manure for crop production, insurance against crop failure, skin, as a form of gift for different cultural and ceremonial benefits in different parts of Ethiopia (Kebede et al. 2012; Zergaw et al. 2016). The purpose of goat production in Ethiopia considerably varies from one location to the other as well as based on the production system. Farmers in the Bale zone, for example, rear goat for generating income, meat production, and cultural importance, manure (Asefa et al. 2015; Diriba and Kebede, 2020) and income, meat and cultural role in Bench Maji (Fantahun et al. 2016). Maefur goats in Erob district of Tigray region are kept for income generation, skin production, breeding and manure (Weldeyesus and Rohotash, 2018). Cash income, milk production and meat were the main purpose of goat keeping in Kafta and Setit Humera districts (Abraham et al. 2017). In south Omo zone, Benatsemay and Hamer districts the main purpose of goat production by farmers were to promote social status (Tesfahun et al. 2017). In pastoral and agro pastoral areas, goats are primarily kept for income, milk and meat production whereas goats reared in mixed farming system of Arsi Negelle and Adami Tulu area are mainly kept for income, meat, festival, and ceremonies (Gebeyehu et al. 2013). Income, meat for home consumption, saving asset (live animal bank) are the main purposes goat raising in Homosha and Bambis districts of Benishangul Gumuz. However, goat production for milk is not reported in these districts (Sherif et al. 2020). Income generation and milk production were the main purpose of goat production in Borena and Bati areas. In Siti/Shinile areas of Somali region, milk production is the primary reason for keeping goats followed by income generation, cultural value, and as identity of wealth status (Gatew et al. 2017). Milk production, income and meat are priority purpose in Aba’ala district of Afar region (Gebre et al. 2020). In Dawro zone, goats reared in Esera district are kept for the purpose of meat, income generation, insurance in case of crop failure, expression of wealth status and manure (Figure 1; Beyene et al. 2018). Goats were reared for the purpose of income, meat and saving in east Gojam (Chanie et al. 2014) income and milk production in Asossa zone (Wendimu et al. 2018).

 

Figure 1 Use of goat skin as water container (Gatew et al. 2017)

 

Selection criteria of goat

Selective breeding is a long-standing and sustainable genetic improvement methods for various communities involved in livestock production. Identifying the indigenous selective breeding practices of farmers and pastoralists facilitate and help to transform to modern breeding methods. Improving the traditional selection practices is more imperative and feasible than introducing a completely new approach for genetic improvement of indigenous breeds (Gizaw et al. 2013). Selection of breeding stock for future generation has been practiced by farmers by giving more attention for appearance and color traits. However, these traits are less relevant to productivity of the animals. Selection for parent of the next generation is based on the recorded performance and visual appraisal (Gatew et al. 2017). Body size and performance of goat were the main criteria in which farmers in Abergelle and western lowland were used to select replacement animals (Abegaz, 2014). In south Omo zone however, body size and reproductive performance traits have been prioritized by farmers to select breeding animals among their flocks (Berhanu et al. 2012). Goat genetic improvement endeavors needs selection within breeds/types. To understand the genetic potential of animals, selection should be undertaken within breed. However, to undertake such selection practices, the knowledge of heritability, repeatability, genetic and phenotypic correlation among traits is essential to be able to identify which traits need to be included in selection criteria (Melesse et al. 2022).

 

Selection criteria of breeding bucks

Farmers select best performing animals from their flock, which become parents of the next generation by using their own criteria. The criteria may vary with the knowledge of livestock owners and production system. In Aba’ala district of Afar region, the most preferred trait to select breeding bucks were coat color, appearance (conformation and body size) and pedigree (dam history for milk). The most preferred color is light brown while the most desired color is black and black-gray (Gebre et al. 2020). In Konso and Borena pastoralist areas, traits like body size, long body frame and white and brown colors were considered as selection criteria of their buck. White, red and brown colors were mainly preferred while black was reported the least preferred color (Abegaz, 2014). The reason why goats with black color discouraged is that consumers usually hesitate to pay better prices due to cultural related beliefs and taboos (Getachew et al. 2018; Melesse et al. 2022). Among the breeding flock, breeding male is important and contributes 50% of the genetic makeup of the next generation and it determine the overall pregnancy rate in the flock. Since one buck can mate to a large number of females at the same time, his genetic makeup is widely transferred to the flocks. Due to this fact, the choice of good buck is a critical issue in goat breeding practices. Farmers in Bati, Borena and Siti areas consider traits like conformation, growth rate, cot color, libido and maternal history (Gatew et al. 2017). Goat owners in Ziquala, Tanqua Abergelle and Lay Armachiho have been practicing selection of breeding bucks by giving high emphasis for coat color, body conformation and growth rate (Alemu, 2015). Similarly, growth rate, conformation and color type are considered in order of importance in Wollega zone (Seid et al. 2015). In Dire Dawa, pedigree and appraisal were important criteria for selecting of bucks for breeding purposes (Gebreyesus et al. 2012). The most important criteria for the selection of breeding male in Bale zone were appearance and coat color (Asefa et al. 2015) while libido, growth rate and prolificacy are criteria used to select breeding bucks in central rift valley of Ethiopia (Kebede et al. 2012). Body size and growth rate were the most prioritized selection criteria in Kafta and Setit Humera districts (Abraham et al. 2017) while body size and conformation were important criteria to select breeding bucks in Loma district of south Ethiopia (Yaekob et al. 2017).

 

Selection criteria of breeding does

Farmers select breeding does to be parents of the next generation by applying different criteria. The emphasis given to each criteria varied based on the importance of traits in farming communities. In agro pastoral and pastoral system, milk yield was the most preferred trait while coat color and appearances were considered as second criteria (Gebre et al. 2020). In Konso and Borena pastoralists, breeding does were selected based on body size, milk yield, frequency of kidding, prolificacy and coat color (Getachew et al. 2018). In Erob district of Tigray region, milk yield, performance, size, conformation, temperament and color were considered as the main selection criteria (Weldeyesus and Rohotash, 2018). Litter size, growth rate and age at first kidding were mostly considered in Wollega zone of western Ethiopia (Seid et al. 2015). In pastoral area, milk yield is mainly considered as a selection criterion while in agro pastoral area, body conformation is emphasized to select breeding does (Alemu, 2015). In pastoralist area, goat milk was used as a source of food thus farmers mainly emphasize milk production as the main criteria to select breeding does as reported in Asayita district of Afar region (Feki et al. 2015). Breeding females were selected by the criteria of milk, body size and litter size in Siti Pastoralist area. However, goats reared in Borena area, body size and milk yield are mainly considered (Gatew et al. 2017). Physical appearance, coat color and milk yield are the criteria considered by farmers in Bale zone to select their breeding does. However, in this area, twin birth is less preferred due to the reason that twins will compute with amount of milk required for human consumption. Adaptation, mothering ability and short kidding intervals are important characters to select breeding does in Loma district of south Ethiopia (Yaekob et al. 2017).

 

Goat breeding practices

Mating system practiced by farmers in different parts of Ethiopia is dominantly uncontrolled. In Meanit district of Bench Maji zone goat owners practiced uncontrolled mating. Some controlled breeding practices was observed in Sheko and Shey Bench districts (Fantahun et al. 2016). In Konso and Meta Robi districts, uncontrolled mating was practiced because of different flocks are mixed at grazing areas and lack of awareness on the consequence of inbreeding (Zergaw et al. 2016). Similarly, uncontrolled mating was practiced by farmers in Bale zone (Asefa et al. 2015) and in Horro, Amuru and Guduru districts of Wollega zone (Seid et al. 2015). Farmers in Bati, Borena and Siti areas, those who had not breeding buck were using neighbor bucks or mating at random with available bucks at communal grazing area and watering point. In Oromia region, farmers practice uncontrolled mating by allowing their breeding male to mate to its close relatives including daughters, dam and sibs. These practices are not be deliberately performed by goat owner rather there were different factors beyond the control of farmers for example flock graze together in communal grazing areas and lack of awareness to the consequences of inbreeding (Workneh and Rowland, 2004; Asefa et al. 2015; Abraham et al. 2017). Housing the flock together at night, lack of sufficient bucks and shortage of grazing land also reported as contributing factors to uncontrolled mating (Kebede et al. 2012; Seid et al. 2015).

 

Goat castration practices

Farmers and pastoralists practice male goat castration for multiple objectives. Castration is one of the methods of restricting male animals with undesired trait from mating females. It is also used as a means of fattening practice to enhance the body weight for increased market value (Getachew et al. 2018). For example, farmers in various parts of the country castrate their bucks to improve fattening. Different research works conducted in Bench Maji zone (Fantaun et al. 2016), in Aba’ala district of Afar region (Gebre et al. 2020) in Gojam Enebse Sar Midir district (Chanie et al. 2014), in Jimma zone (Gebrechristos and Dugma, 2013), in Konso zone (Getachew et al. 2018), and in Erob district of Tigray region (Gebre et al. 2020) reported the practice of buck castration for improved body weight as a means of income generation. Many households also practice castration in order to control undesired breeding of bucks with does (Seid et al. 2015; Beyene et al. 2018). The methods of castration and the age at which castration is applied varied from place to place with respect to knowledge of the farmers. Farmers and pastoralist for instance in Siti and Borena area castrate bucks by traditional methods using bend wooden material locally known as “Wormatume” by Somali people and “Tuma” by Borena people (Gatew et al. 2017). In Ziquala, and Abergelle districts, traditional castration is practiced by all goat keepers (Alemu, 2015). Age at which castration practiced also varied with production system. In Erob district of Tigray region, castration is practiced at the age about two and half years old in both pastoral and agro-pastoral production system (Gebre et al. 2020). In another parts of the country, castration is undertaken at earlier age (12-18 months) (Fikru and Gebeyew, 2015; Yemane et al. 2020). However, castration is not a common practice in Kafta and Setit Humera and bucks are allowed to run with does until they become five years old (Abraham et al. 2017). Other scholars in Dire Dawa areas reported that bucks could run with females until they become five and a half years old (Gebreyesus et al. 2013). In most of the areas, traditional castration is dominantly practiced by farmers. However, about 55% of farmers in Jomma zone apply modern castration at the veterinary clinic by using Burdizo castrator (Figure 2; Yemane et al. 2020).

 

Figure 2 Traditional castration methods (Alemu, 2015)

 

Constraints of goat production

There is a need to identify the existing constraints that hamper goat production and productivity to design appropriate intervention strategies (Alemu, 2015; Seid et al. 2015). Many factors and challenges hamper the goat production and productivity in Ethiopia. Climate change is one of the severe challenges that affect the productivity of pasture and animals (Gizaw et al. 2010). Livestock production in the country is climate sensitive, which is affected by recurrent drought. Goat production was further affected by the prevalence of diseases, feed shortage, predatory, lack of appropriate market, labor and water shortage (Gebreyesus et al. 2012; Gebeyehu et al. 2013; Gebreyesus et al. 2013; Abraham et al. 2017). Moreover, cost and quality of feed, lack of sufficient extension service, lack of concentrate feed and its high price were the constraint that hinder back goat production (Diriba and Kebede, 2020). Under traditional free range production system, different diseases and parasites, and predators were reported as critical constraints of goat production (Weldeyesus and Rohotash, 2018). In Madda Walabu and Sawena districts of Bale zone, abortion, kid mortality, poor growth and repeated services to conceive are the limiting factors in goat production (Asefa et al. 2015). In addition, lack of appropriate breeding program in the country is one of the limiting factor, which affect long term and sustainable genetic/breed improvement (Solomon et al. 2014). In pastoralist areas, mobility, recurrent drought, erratic rainfall and lack of supportive infrastructure are the challenges that attribute to poor goat production (Getachew et al. 2018). Besides, the occurrence of diseases (liver fluke, and contagious caprine pleuropneumonia and skin diseases), feed shortage both in quantity and quality and lack of appropriate market also observed to affect the productiveity of goat in the country (Fikru and Gebeyehu, 2015; Beyene et al. 2018; Getachew et al. 2018; Ambel et al. 2021). Furthermore, poisoning (Tsegaye et al. 2013), lack of improved genotype, shortage of labor, working capital and absence of extension as well as veterinary services services were limiting factors in goat production (Abegaz, 2014; Abraham et al. 2017; Yemane et al. 2020). The presence of different forms of theft and the incidence of predators are also reported as prominent constraints in goat production (Tsegaye et al. 2009; Chanie et al. 2014; Wendimu et al. 2018).

 

Goat production and improvement opportunities

Despite several constraints and challenges, there are different opportunities that enable farmers and goat owners to expand and even to improve their flocks. To establish breeding program for genetic improvement, identifying the available opportunities is essential element. The involvement of different institutions, population growth, urbanization and raising income and the presence of abattoirs in indifferent locations are few of the opportunities to expand goat production in the country (Fikru and Gebeyew, 2015; Mekuriaw et al. 2016). Moreover, establishment of goat production requires small space, low initial capital and low labor. Goat production is also attractive due their short generation interval, high prolificacy and their nature of adaptability in harsh environments which enabled them to thrive and reproduce efficiently as compared to other farm animals (Beyene et al. 2018). The presences of different NGOs that support improvement of the livestock sector are further some of the opportunities in the enhancement of goat production at a larger scale (Gebeyehu et al. 2013). The country’s wide agro ecological environments and research work conducted by different universities, research institutes and non-governmental organizations that provide insight for the improvement could further contribute to the expansion goat production in Ethiopia (Diriba and Kebede, 2020). Moreover, the availability of large land that is not utilized for crop production, the growing demand for meat, presence of abattoirs and establishment of slaughtering and meat processing facilities are the promising opportunities for the growth of goat production in different parts of Ethiopia (Chanie et al. 2014).

 

CONCLUSION

Goat is preferred animal and kept by different communities in wide agro climatic conditions due to its unique specialization for smallholder poor farmers. They mainly serve as a source of milk for home consumption, meat for sell and home consumption, cash income and manure production. Selection is practiced by farmers by using many criteria among which coat color, appearance, body conformation and reproductive traits are considered as the main preferred ones for both male and female goats. Uncontrolled mating is the dominant breeding strategy the most of the households. Castration of buck is performed mainly by traditional methods using locally available materials. It is mainly practiced to promote fattening and to control undesired breeding. Prevalence of diseases, parasites, feed shortage, lack of extension services, occurrence of recurrent drought, lack of appropriate market outlet, absence of feasible breeding program and uncontrolled mating are the most inherent constraints of goat production in Ethiopia. On the other hand, there are noticeable opportunities that could be the basis of goat expansion and improvement in Ethiopia of which the existence of increasing demand for goat products, their adaptation potential to wide range of environments coupled with their high prolificacy and their broad feeding habit are the main promising features.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to sincerely acknowledge Kebri Dehar University for sponsoring the first author to be able undertake his Ph D. study at Hawassa University.

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