Abstract
This study was conducted in Gambella Regional State (GRS) in order to characterize the Abigar cattle breed phenotypically at its breeding tract. It was done purposively in four selected districts of the region using extensive field surveys, morphological measurements and focused group discussions on the origin, distribution, current status and future threats, production and reproduction characteristics of Abigar cattle at its production environment. By using semi-structured questionnaire, 160 cattle owners were interviewed and qualitative and quantitative data were recorded for mature 200 female and 100 male cattle. Milk yield monitoring of 95 lactating Abigar cows was assessed in and around Gambella district for three months long. The data were entered into Excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS (2007) software package. The study has shown that Abigar cattle are the most dominant both in the Nuer and Anywaa zones of the region. The breed possesses unique features that can be used in identifying the breed from other indigenous breeds. The breed has got large body size, long-curved horns, gray and white dominant coat colors as well as ease of management by all gender groups due to its recognized docile character. The average age at puberty, age at first calving and calving interval were found to be 36.2, 42.5 and 14.1 months, respectively under extensive management. In addition, the breed has better production and reproduction capabilities despite the high heat load, recurrent drought and repeated disease prevalence in the region. However, a decreasing trend of the breed had been noticed in the studied areas in recent years mainly due to disease outbreaks and lack of medication, ethnic conflicts, cattle raiding and high expansion of commercial crop production. Thus, a well-coordinated and community driven participatory in situ conservation strategy has great significance to ensure the maintenance, future use and improvement of the breed for enhancement of food security of the pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the region. Key words: Abigar, cattle, breed, Nuer, Anywaa, pastoral, agro-pastoral.
Highlights
IntroductionAnimal genetic resources provide alternative forms of high quality food, major source of income and livelihood, and very crucial in strengthening social and cultural linkages of indigenous people living in marginal areas (Cardellino, 2006)
Ethiopia is considered as home of huge diversity of animal genetic resources, possessing high population of livestock comprising mostly of the indigenous genotype; adapting variable agro-ecologies and farming systems.Animal genetic resources provide alternative forms of high quality food, major source of income and livelihood, and very crucial in strengthening social and cultural linkages of indigenous people living in marginal areas (Cardellino, 2006)
The Abigar cattle are classified under the „Nioltic Sanga‟ and are the sub-type of Nuer cattle found principally in the border areas between Ethiopia and Sudan with larger extension into Ethiopia covering the Akobo area of Gambella (Alberro and Haile-Mariam, 1982a)
Summary
Animal genetic resources provide alternative forms of high quality food, major source of income and livelihood, and very crucial in strengthening social and cultural linkages of indigenous people living in marginal areas (Cardellino, 2006) In these areas, where crop production is unavailable due to physical and climatic barriers, there exists only a considerable livestock production (Maass et al, 2012) and a relatively feasible livelihood strategy in order to buffer and maintain food security, which has been practiced as a main-stay of life and coping strategy at resilient ecosystems (FAO, 2006). This is further enhanced by the hardy nature of the animals and relatively productive which may be due to the adaptation accumulated through long periods of exposure to the low level of management as well as the stressful environmental factors (Bayer et al, 2003)
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