Abstract
Woyto-Guji goat breeds suitable for diverse purposes in the different production environments or ecological zones in the district. Farmers in different production systems have different trait preferences and the strategies followed by them are also as diverse as the agro-environments within which they operate. Socio-economic (cash, asset, security) and production or yield attribute (meat) were ranked first and second preferred traits by farmers with index of 0.47, 0.44 in lowland; 0.45, 0.42 in midland and 0.47, 0.40 in highland areas. that body conformation, adaptation, twining ability, coat color, ranked as first to fourth traits with index value of 0.22, 0.18, 0.16, and 0.15, respectively, by farmers for selection of females. In order to design a viable breeding plan, farmers’ preferences for the different traits need to be investigated. Participatory definition of trait preferences was undertaken to pave the way for deriving economic weights of traits to develop selection indices. Key words: Goat breeding, purpose, traits preference.
Highlights
Ethiopia is home for diverse indigenous goat populations, numbering 22.78 million heads (CSA, 2011) and 15 breeds of goat (IBC, 2004) that have traditionally been an integral part of the farming systems in all agro-climatic conditions
It has been estimated that about 70% of the goat population is found in the low lands and the rest 30% is found in the high lands (Alemayehu, 1993)
Community based breeding programs have emerged as promising approach in the tropics where-in farmers actively participate from the designs to the implementation of breeding programs
Summary
Ethiopia is home for diverse indigenous goat populations, numbering 22.78 million heads (CSA, 2011) and 15 breeds of goat (IBC, 2004) that have traditionally been an integral part of the farming systems in all agro-climatic conditions. The role of goats in improving the income and livelihood of rural people in the region is gaining importance (Feki, 2013). They overlooked the significance of livestock in the tropics, which transcends economic considerations and enters the social, cultural and ritual realm (FAO, 2009). Community based breeding programs have emerged as promising approach in the tropics where-in farmers actively participate from the designs to the implementation of breeding programs Sustainability of such programs would depend on producer’s interest which could be influenced by socio-cultural, economic and geographical factors (Ilatsia et al, 2012). An understanding of producer’s trait or breed preferences and selection criteria would enable breeders in the regions to effectively design sustainable
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