analysis of production objectives and breeding practices ... · breeding goals in the design of...

International Journal of Agriculture & Agribusiness

ISSN: 2391-3991, Volume 1 Issue 1, page 142 - 155 Zambrut

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Worku, A., & Ahmed, A.. Analysis of Production Objectives and Breeding ............ 142

Analysis of Production

Objectives and Breeding

Practices for Native Goat

Breed Reared (Study in Sebeta-Awas District of Oromia Regional State)

Ashebir Worku1 & Asha Ahmed

2

1Ashebir Worku &

2Asha Ahmed

1Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center, Batu, Oromia

2Adami Tullu Jiddo Kombolcha District, Livestock Agency, Batu, Oromia

Abstract: The study was conducted in Sebeta-Awas District of Oromia regional state to define farmers’ goats

production objectives, their trait preferences and characterizing of their breeding practices in the study areas.

Purposive and simple random sampling was employed to select the study PAs and all the respondents in the study

sites. Semi-structure questionnaire survey was implemented to collect the required information by interviewing

the selected respondents in each selected PAs. The results showed that about 76.6% and 23.4% of the

respondents interviewed during the survey time were males and females respectively. The mean family size of the

interviewed respondents in the study PAs was 9.54± 4.36 with statisticaly differ across PAs @(P<0.05). The

survey result indicated that the production objective of goat in the study areas were primerly for income source

followed by Saving, meat,manure, social purpose and for skin with an index value of 0.35 ,0.19, 0.14, 0.13, 0.09,

0.07 and 0.03. About 66.7% of the respondent farmers select goats for breeding purpose, while the rest 33.3% did

not select small ruminant for breeding purposes. During the survey time the reproductive performance of goats

was also assessed and its result indicated that the mean age at first kidding in the study areas is 13±0.67 months.

The average kidding interval in the study PAs was 7.24 month, while the mean litter size of doe in study PAs was

1.69±0.02 kids. Feed shortage and diseases were the most pertinent constraints irrespective of all the areas

studied. Thus, in all the cases there have to be efforts aimed towards improving the Genetics, management and

seasonal shortage of feed and fodder have to be taken care.

Keywords: Breeding Objective, Inbreeding and Kidding Interval



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1. Background/ Rationale

Ethiopia is endowed with abundant livestock resources of varied and diversified nature reared

across several agro ecologies (Tesfaye, 2009). Farm animals as a whole are an integral part of the

country’s agricultural system and are raised both in the highland and lowland areas. Similarly, the habitats

of the indigenous goat breeds extend from the arid lowlands (the pastoral and agro-pastoral production

system) to the humid highlands (mixed farming systems) covering even the extreme tsetse-infested areas

of the country (Workneh, 1992). Sebeta-Awas is endowed with large population of livestock .

However, livestock production is constrained by different factors such as sever animal health related

problem, less productivity of animals, absence of improved breeds, marketing of livestock and lack of

information on the actual performance of animals under their natural habitat and these needs to be

addressed to improve the livelihood of the producers.

The design of sustainable genetic improvement schemes under smallholder situations requires

indigenous knowledge on traditional breeding practices which is structured differently from scientific

knowledge (Sölkner-Rollefson, J. 2003). Lack of such knowledge leads to the setting up of unrealistic

breeding goals in the design of livestock genetic improvement programs and the consequence of which can

put in danger the conservation of indigenous animal genetic resources (Zewdu et al., 2006). Pastoralists or

smallholder farmers have very valuable knowledge about animal management and desirable traits but less

knowledge on how genes are transmitted to the next generation and how to use information from relatives

(Rege, 2001). When defining the selection criteria, they consider not only the individual’s own features,

but also, for example, the features of the individual’s parents and grandparents. Presently, community-

based genetic improvement strategies are being advocated (Gizaw etal. 2010 ). Among the important

subjects are the breeding practices, description of production environment, definition of breeding

goals/objectives and traits to be selected for (traits preference). These strategies would require a good

understanding of the community’s indigenous knowledge of their animals. However, information on

indigenous knowledge of traditional animal breeding practices is hardly available for small ruminant

populations living in study district despite the current emphasis given for on-farm participatory research.

Moreover, on-farm flocks productivity monitoring clearly reveals the potentiality of the population for

their future improvements. A given breed can perform differently under different production system

because animal performance is the combined result of genotype and environment. Performance evaluation

of goats under their natural habitat is vital for insight decision and development of sustainable breeding

scheme under smallholder/Farmers situations. Therefore, the current study was designed to address all

above mentioned issues with the following objectives.

Objectives

a. To define farmers’ goats production objectives, identify their trait preferences, and characterize their

breeding practices.

b. To describe traditional individual animal identification system and flock management practices.

2. Materials and methods

2.1 Description of the study area

The study was conducted in Sebeta-Awas District of Oromia regional state of Ethiopia to study

about native goat breed in the area. The study areas are described separately by each kebeles. The current

study was conducted in four kebeles namely Sago, Dibbe, Kemsi Dika and Akale.

2.2 Sampling techniques

A multi-stage purposive sampling technique was employed where first districts known for goats

productivity in the zone were identified. This was followed by identifying of potential Kebeles and

villages. Potential for goats population and practice of communal grazing system were used as criteria in

selecting the sites. In addition to secondary data, discussions were held with zonal and district agricultural

experts and development agents at the village level to select the sites.



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A set of detailed semi-structured questionnaire were prepared to collect information on general socio-

eonomic household characteristics, flock structure, breeding management, feeds and feeding management

and production constraints in one visit interviews. General information list of FAO (2000) and Oromia

livestock breed survey questionnaire (Workneh and Rowlands, 2004) was used as a checklist in designing

the questionnaire. The questionnaires were pre-tested prior to commencement of interview and necessary

rearrangements were made to make sure that farmers easily understand it.

In addition to information collected through individual farmer interview, focus group discussions

were held with elderly farmers, village leaders and socially respected farmers who are known to have

better knowledge on the present and past social and economic status of the study areas to gather detail

information on goats production. Participants for group discussion were identified with assistance of DA’s

and kebele administrators. Accordingly the pre-tested questionnaires were administered to purposily

selected respondents owning five or more goats from the total number of house-holds(1862 rearing small

ruminants) in the four kebeles for the present study. This were determined according to the proportionate

sampling technique of Arsham(2002).

N=0.25/SE2

Where:- N= Total sampled respondent

SE= Standard error(0.0373) with 95% confident level

W=No*(A/B)

Where:- W= Number of household to be calculated from single selected kebele

A= Total number of household per kebeles

B= Total number of household all six kebeles

No = The calculated sample size

2.3 Type of data and methods of data collection

Both primary and secondary data were collected from the study sites. Primary data was collected

on general household and farm characteristics, reproductive problems, breeding management practices,

flock structures, purpose of keeping of goats and selection criteria for male and female goats. Moreover,

data on Age at first kidding, kidding interval and litter size at birth were collected. Husbandry practices

such as housing and feeding as well as adaptation traits like level of resistance to disease and parasite,

tolerance to heat and drought were also assessed during the study time.

Primary data was collected through survey by use of semi-structured questionnaire administered to

selected sample households. The questionnaire survey was first pre-tested and modified before the

execution of the survey. One focused group discussions at each kebele was also employed to clarify issues

not well addressed through individual interview and to validate/triangulate some information collected by

individual interview. Development agents, key informants (Elders, PA leaders), district livestock experts

were participated on the discussion.

2.4 Data management and statistical analysis

Both primary and secondary data were coded, screened and entered into computer on Microsoft

excel and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 19) to describe them in

terms of proportions. An index was calculated to provide overall ranking of the reasons of keeping goats

according to the formulae: Index = Σ of [3 for rank 1 + 2 for rank 2 + 1 for rank 3] given for particular

purpose of keeping goats divided by Σ of [3 for rank 1 + 2 for rank 2 + 1 for rank 3] for all purpose of

keeping goats.

3. Result and Discussion

3.1 Household Size, Sex & education of the households

The results pertaining to family size, sex of the respondents and education are presented in Table 1.

The findings indicate that the family size differed across the studied locations with higher numbers of

respondents residing at Kamsi dika while the reverse was true for those residing at Sago. Most of the



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respondents were males. The educational status of the respondents also indicated that most of them were

illiterate at Dibe and Sago while the respondents at Kamsi dika and Akale were barely literate (primary

level education).

Table 1. Family size (LSM ± SE), Sex & education (%) of the households

Descriptor Districts

Dibe Sago Kamsi dika Akale Overall

Family size 8.46± 3.85b

7.26 ± 2.57c

12.54 ± 5.11a

9.92 ± 3.76b

9.54 ± 4.36

Sex

Male 63.4 81.0 80.2 91.6 76.6

Female 36.6 19.0 19.8 8.4 23.4

X2

Value 12.1*

Educational l

Illiterate 37.8 51.1 20.0 8.9 29.4

Primary school 17.8 28.9 22.2 37.8 26.7

Elementary school 35.6 17.8 33.3 33.3 30.0

Secondary school 6.7 2.2 11.1 17.8 9.4

Preparatory school 0.0 0.0 8.9 2.2 2.8

Higher Education 2.2 0.0 4.4 0.0 1.7

X2

Value 31.49*

abc

Rows with different superscripts are significantly different at (P<0.05)

Most of the respondents were males which is in accordance with the findings of Urgessa etal., (2012).

This finding also agrees with results of Taye (2006) for Southern Ethiopia and Workneh and Rownalds

(2004) also reported that the majority of the households (94%) in Oromia region were male headed while

the rest 6% were female headed. In Ethiopia (as in other tropical countries) most of the household heads

are males (Zewdu et al., 2012) .The education levels of the respondents varied from illiterate to those who

are barely literate (primary/ elementary levels of education), this makes them difficult for take up the

intricacies of modern animal husbandry (Yishak et.al, 2014).

3.2 Goats flock structure

The flock demography of the goats raised in the studied locations is presented in (Table 2). The

findings show that the numbers of kids, buck kids and does kids(6 months to 12 months of age) varied

across the studied locations with fewer (P<0.05) reared at Dibe and no differences across the other

studied locations. The numbers of rams varied (P<0.05) across the locations with higher numbers being

raised at Kamsi dika. The findings also show that the numbers of does kids (6 months to 12 months of

age) and does too varied (P<0.05) across the locations, with more numbers being raised at Kemsi dika

and Akale.



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Table 2. Mean flock structure (±SE) of the goat reared across the locations

Categories Districts

Overall Dibe Sago Kamsi dika Akale

kids < 6month 4.23±2.40b 5.79±3.72

a 5.87±3.00

a 5.68±2.85

a 5.39±3.07

Male 6 – 12month 1.92±1.31b 3.12±3.62

a 2.56±2.05

ab 2.58±1.54

ab 2.55±2.34

Backs > 12month 1.19±0.38b 1.49±0.86

ab 1.80±1.83

a 1.29±0.72

b 1.44±1.11

Female 6 – 12month 2.82±2.31b 4.39±4.11

a 3.61±3.56

ab 3.75±2.14

ab 3.65±3.16

Does > 1Month 5.23±2.71b 6.27±4.94

ab 7.25±5.00

a 6.95±3.27

ab 6.46±4.14

Castrates 0.00±0.00 0.06±0.29 0.0±0.00 0.00±0.00 0.02±0.15 abc

Rows with different superscripts within categories are significantly different (P<0.05)

The higher proportion of breeding females in the flock followed by suckling age group in all study

sites was in agreement with finding of other researchers in Ethiopia (Tsedeke, 2007; Tesfaye, 2009; Belete,

2009). The higher proportion of adult females than other age groups across all study areas indicates that

practice of retaining females for breeding. The numbers of does, yearlings and kids were higher than those

reported by Tsedeke (2007) around Alaba. This may be attributed to selling off of the males and lower

reproductive efficiency of the does. Studies by Tesfaye (2004) have indicated that the farmers usually sell

of the male animals prior to selling off the female animals and hence the populations of males are lower

than those of the females especially among the small ruminants. The percentage of castrate found in the

study area was very low than reports of Grum (2010) for Short-eared Somali goats and FARM-Africa

(1996) for Arsi-Bale goats who reported 3.8% and 3.5% respectively. Relatively, smaller proportion of

castrating goat flocks indicated that the existence of low practice of buck castration activity in the area.

3.3 Purpose of goat keeping

The findings from the study indicated that the primary reason for rearing goat in the study areas

were for income followed by saving (wealth accumulation), meat, , manures, skin, social importance and

milk. The results also show that, goats were also reared for milk production at Akale kebele goat keepers,

this may attributed that Akale kebele is found nearly lowland areas of the disricts where farmers found in

the lowland areas use milk of small ruminants (Adugna and Aster (2007), Belete (2009). However, the

Goats were reared also for other purposes but most of them are of minor importance. Indigenous goat

breeds have a wide range of functions that differ from place to place. Identification of the reasons is

prerequisite for deriving operational breeding goals (Jaitner et al., 2001). Analogous to the reports of other

researchers in Ethiopia (Tsedeke, 2007; Getahun, 2008; Tesfaye, 2009; Grum, 2010), goat keepers in the

present study mentioned cash income was important reasons of goat keeping (Table 3). This may be

because the small ruminants are moderately prolific and are easier to sell when compared to the cattle

(Endeshaw Assefa, 2007). Additionally, goats play important roles in the socio-economy of the societies.

This includes saving, for the payment of social dues, ceremonial feastings, to show wealth strength and

skin for home use and sale. Besides producing animal products, goats also provide manure to maintain soil

fertility in mixed crop-livestock and agro-pastoral production systems.



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Table 4. Ranking of goat production objectives by kebeles

Ranked breeding

objectives

Proportion of production objectives/Attributes

Saving Milk Income Meat Social Manure Skin

Dibe

Rank 1 0 0 43 0 1 1 0

Rank 2 13 0 4 11 10 8 1

Rank 3 13 0 0 14 5 5 6

Index 0.19 0.00 0.33 0.17 0.10 0.12 0.09

Sago

Rank 1 0 0 41 1 3 0 0

Rank 2 13 0 2 15 7 9 0

Rank 3 18 0 1 14 5 4 1

Index 0.20 0.00 0.31 0.18 0.11 0.14 0.06

Kamsi dika

Rank 1 0 0 45 0 0 0 0

Rank 2 22 0 18 1 10 2 0

Rank 3 20 0 0 13 2 8 1

Index 0.24 0.00 0.39 0.11 0.08 0.11 0.06

Akale

Rank 1 0 0 45 0 0 0 0

Rank 2 9 7 0 2 10 2 0

Rank 3 21 11 0 8 2 8 1

Index 0.19 0.11 0.30 0.10 0.09 0.16 0.06

Overall Index 0.19 0.03 0.35 0.14 0.09 0.13 0.07

Overall Rank 2 7 1 3 5 4 6

Index = sum of [ 3 for rank 1 + 2 for rank 2 + 1 for rank 3] for particular breeding objective divided by

sum 0f[3 for rank 1+ 2 for rank 2 + 1 for rank 3] for all breeding objective

3.4 Selection of goats for breeding purposes

From the study it was observed that about 86.7% of the respondents have their own breeding

objectives, while the remaining 13.3% do not have goats breeding objectives. From the total interviewed

respondents about 76.7% of the respondent farmers select goats for breeding purpose, while the remaining

23.3% did not select goats for breeding purpose. Some of the goat selection criteria used by the farmers in

the study sites were indicated in (figures 1). Majority (90.60 %, 73.90 % and 47.20 %) of the respondents

in the study kebeles used color body conformation and pedigree respectively as selection criteria to select

breeding goats, while others did not use any selection criteria for selecting of breeding bucks; instead, they

simply carried out the breeding activities without considering these criteria.



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Figure 1. Some of the goat selection criteria and its proportion used by the farmers

This result was in agreement with Tesfaye K. (2010), who reported that selection of bucks based on

body morphology/ condition was rated to be of great importance to farmers/pastoralists, while character of

bucks was considered the least important. The respondents indicated that meat production potential of

goats observed in terms of market values of goats rather than for consumption at home i.e. the contribution

of goat meat for diet of farmers was very low as compared to income. In general, the results of this study

suggested that the farmers have multiple breeding objectives. These include income production,

growth/meat production, body size, and reproduction in order of their importance. Majority of farmers’

emphasized breeding goats for large conformations in order to produce flock that have larger body frame

to have better market price.

Figure 2. Percentages of respondents in study sites used selection criteria to select breeding Bucks

As farmers mentioned, their goats have good reproductive performance and does which gave

frequently multiple birth especially twins and those which had high rate of kidding were more preferred by

the owners because such type of does contributed more to the income of farmers. Generally, farmers want

Body conformation Pedigree Color

73,90%

47,20%

90,60%

26,10%

52,80%

9,40%

Respondent not use the selection criteria Respondent use the selection criteria

40,61

22,3 28,03

9,06 0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Body conformation Pedigree Color LibdoPer

cen

tage

of

resp

on

den

ts

Selection Criteria



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to own breeding goats adaptive to their environment that have better body size, fast growth rate and better

reproductive performance in terms of kidding interval and prolificacy.

The selection criteria used by the interviewed farmers in the study sites to select breeding Does was

showed in (figure 3). From the selection criteria indicated here about 82.40 % of the respondents do not

use milking ability as criteria to select breeding does. But majority of the respondents (96.4%) use litter

size as selection criteria to select breeding doe’s for reproduction purposes followed by body coat color

(87.30% ) and body conformation of female goats (61.50%).

This result was disagreement with Tabbaa and Al-Atiyat (2009) in Jordan who reported that majority of

farmers (84%) emphasized on breeding goats for milk production in order to produce and maintain high

milk producing Does. This result was in agreement with the finding of Muller (2005), who reported

selection for body conformation traits such as feet and leg as well as udder traits is intended to sustain milk

yield for the kids.

Figure 3. Interviewed respondents used different selection criteria for selection of breeding Does.

Generally the utilization of physical and performance characteristics as a selection criteria by the

households revealed that the selection decision made by them followed stepwise mode i.e. the first

screening is based on physical appraisal in early stage and further selections are based on production and

reproduction characteristics at matured stage (after first kidding for females and mating for males).

3.5 Reproductive performance of goats

During the survey work all the reproductive performances of goats in the selected PAs was

assessed and its result was presented under the following sections.

3.6 Age at first kidding

Age at first kidding can be defined as the age at which does give birth for the first time. It is a

function of puberty, age at first breeding and conception and successful completeness of pregnancy. These

reproductive characteristics including age at first kidding (AFK) are influenced by many factors such as

genetic makeup of an individual, physical environment, nutrition and time of birth (Alexander et al., 1999;

Awemu et al., 1999). Age at first kidding is highly variable and dependent on the growth rate and

management system used (Song et al., 2006).

The mean age at first kidding of goats in the study areas was 13±0.67SE months. This survey report

is similar with the finding of Samuel (2005) who report that age at first kidding of Arsi-Bale goats is 13

Body

conformation

Pedigree Color Milk

production

Litter size Mothering

ability

61,80% 43,50%

87,30%

17,60%

96,40%

62,00%

38,20% 56,50%

12,70%

82,40%

3,60%

38,00%

Respondent use the selection criteria Respondent not use the selection criteria



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months. The current result is also in close agreement with that of Belete (2009) who reported 12.5 months

for Keffa goats, Getahun (2008) 12.5 for Adilo goats and Tsedeke (2007) who reported 12.1 for Arsi-Bale

goats under traditional management systems. This result is also better than the findings of Tesfaye

K(2010), who reported 19.16±0.28 at on-station and 14.7±0.14 months at on-farm. The current result was

also better than reports of Endeshaw (2007) and Rume et al. (2011) who reported 14.88±0.3 and

14.25±0.69 months age at first kidding for Arsi-Bale (Loka Abaya in Ethiopia) and Patuakahli

(Bangladesh) goat types, respectively. The present result also fits in the range reported by Girma (2008),

who reported Age at first kidding ranges from 12-24 months.

3.7 Kidding interval

Kidding interval is one of the most important reproductive components affecting the lifetime

productivity of the doe in goats’ breeding activities. Reproductive efficiency is related to the length of

parturition interval of doe, where long kidding interval has lower reproductive efficiency (kosgey, 2004).

The mean kidding interval of goats in the study areas was 7.25±0.24 SE months, which was comparable

with findings of Tesfaye K(2010), who reported KI of 9.33±0.46 and 7.74±0.1 months at on-station and

on-farm respectively and the theory of three times kidding expectation per two years under normal

circumstances (Girma, 2008). Tatek et al. (2005) also reported 8.07 months from on-farm monitoring

study conducted in Arsi-Negelle district on Arsi-Bale goat breed which was in close agreement with value

reported in this study.

3.8 Litter size at birth (LSB)

About 68.7% of the respondents in the study sites indicated that majority of their goats’ flocks give

twining birth, while only 31.3% responded that their goats give single birth. This finding almost in close

accordance with the result of Tesfaye k., et al (2010), who reported that majority (61.5% at on-farm and

50.68% at on-station) of Arsi-Bale goats give twin birth. The mean litter size of does in the study PAs was

1.69±0.02 kids, which is similar with the result of Tesfaye k., et al (2010) who reported that overall mean

liter size at birth of Arsi-Bale goats 1.6 and 1.65 kids at station and on-farm conditions respectively. Litter

size is a combination of ovulation rate and embryo survival, number of lambs or kids born per parturition.

There is a positive relationship between litter size and age and parity (Getahun, 2008; Girma, 2008).

3.9 Heat (sign) detection

In the study sites about 90.3% of the respondents know when their flocks show heat sign, while

9.7% of them do not know when their goat flocks show heat sign. From the total interviewed respondents

86.90%, 74.50%, 73.20%, 67.40.8% and 21.30% know when their flock show heat by sign of restlessness,

uprising of tail, vaginal discharge and mounting of other goats and reduced appetite respectively.



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Fig. 4. Interviewed respondents using different heat detection signs for breeding of their Does

3.10 Breeding/ mating system

About 77% of the respondents in the study site bring breeding bucks to their breeding flocks at time

when their does show heat sign, while 6.2% of the respondents bring breeding bucks to breeding flocks

12hours after they observed the breeding does in heat sign. However, 16.8% of the respondents do not care

about bringing the breeding bucks to breeding Does at all; they leave it to their natural behavior. To

undertake this breeding activity about 81.4% of the respondents follow uncontrolled natural mating

system. But only 18.6% of the respondents who do not have personal breeding bucks use natural controlled

mating system. According to Kosgey (2004), an advantage of natural uncontrolled mating is that it allows

for all year round breeding. On the other hand, uncontrolled mating together with small flock sizes and

poor/absent record keeping on pedigree are expected to result in severe inbreeding which leads to poor

growth rates (Saico and Abul, 2007).

3.11 Major goats feed source and feeding management

The results pertaining to the feed resources in the studied locations are presented in (Table 6). The

findings show that bush and natural pasture, crop residues, crop aftermath and fallow land predominate as

the feed resource for goats in the studied areas. The study further indicates that many respondents at Akale

and Sago provide concentrate to their goats. The results as presented in (Table 6) show that the

predominant feed resource in the study areas are bush and natural pasture which is also in close accordance

with the findings of (Tsedeke 2007).

Vaginal

discharge

Mounting of

others

Restlessness Uprising of

tail

Reduced

73,20% 67,40% 86,90%

74,50%

21,30%

26,80% 32,60% 13,10%

25,50%

78,70%

Respondent observed the sign Respondent not observed the sign



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Table 6. Proportion of feed resources used for goats in the study areas

Feed resources Sago Dibe Kasi dika Akale Overall Index Rank

Bush &Natural pasture 86.7 82.2 77.8 88.9 83.9 0.26 1

Hay 2.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.001 7

Crop residues 95.6 73.3 31.1 66.7 66.7 0.25 2

Fallow land 13.3 20.0 15.6 35.6 21.1 0.11 4

Concentrate 31.1 20.0 24.4 44.4 30.0 0.05 6

Crop aftermath 51.1 40.0 22.2 33.3 36.7 0.13 3

NCF 44.4 24.4 22.2 35.6 31.7 0.06 7

NCF=None conventional feed, Index = sum of [ 3 for rank 1 + 2 for rank 2 + 1 for rank 3] for particular

feed resource divided by sum 0f[3 for rank 1+ 2 for rank 2 + 1 for rank 3] for all feed resource

The results also show that crop residues and crop aftermath too are paramount importance, these

observations too are in confirmatory with the results of (Tesfaye 2009). Earlier studies by Alison etal,

(2011) had indicated that bush land and natural pastures are shrinking over a period of time which can be

correlated with the anthropogenic and agronomic activities in the region activities. The study also indicates

that non conventional feed is also provided to the goats, which is in the form of brewery wastes in form of

‘’atella’’ they also provide some natural minerals viz. Bole. These observations are also in close

accordance with those of (Urgessa etal., 2012 ) where agro industrial byproducts constitute major part of

the feed resources of the farm animals.

3.12 Housing system

The findings as presented in (Table 7) indicate that in most of the cases the goats awere housed

alone, in separate roofed houses. System of housing is significantly different (P< 0.05). Separate house,

family house and gaadaa (attached to house) were ranks first, second and third system of housing of sheep,

respectively.

Table 7. Types of Goat houses and confined (%) during night for protection.

Parameters Sago Dibe Kamsi dika Akale Overall X2

Value

System of housing 36.75

In the family house 20.0 0.00 17.8 8.9 12.7

In separate sheep house 68.9 76.7 73.3 62.2 69.7

Kitchen 0.00 0.00 2.2 6.7 2.4

Gada (Attached to house) 8.9 6.7 6.7 22.2 11.5

Veranda 2.2 16.7 0.00 0.00 3.6

Proper housing ensures that the flock is saved from the vagaries of nature; this also ensures that the

mortality in the flock is minimized (Tatek et al. 2004). Housing also ensures that the predatory attacks are

minimized and therefore the flock mortality is arrested (Urgessa etal., 2012 ). The study shows that most

of the Goats are provided with housing in the area these findings are in close accordance with those of

Belete (2009) in Goma district of Jimma zone. However, findings of a study by Tesfaye (2010) have

indicated that goats are rarely housed and this also leads to high mortality in the flock.

3.13 Major constraints and challenges of goat production in the areas

The overall constraints regarding goats’ production in the study areas shows that feed and land

shortages and diseases are the most prominent constraints of goat production. Feed and diseases were

identified as the major constraints by the respondents residing at all kebeles. The residents at Kamsi dika



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opined that besides feed and water shortages, diseases of the goats and their genetic potential too need to

be improved. While, at Akale, feed shortages, genotypes of the goats besides marketing problem and

diseases were considered as the primordial reasons. Absence of on-time vaccination of goats to control

outbreak diseases is also pinpointed/ indicated by the respondents as one of the main challenges.

The results as pertains to the goat production constrains prevalent in the study area feed shortage and

diseases, both these constraints can be minimized by proper management which is agree with the report of

(Biruh Tesfahun., 2013). The reasons for the feed shortage can be the influx of agriculture where the

earlier grazing land is being used for agrarian activities and thus is leading to overgrazing in the existing

land resources thus degrading the same further as the pasture is not getting enough time propagate itself

(Tesfaye, 2008, Belete, 2009).

Many of the diseases are also vaccine preventable and hence the veterinarians in the vicinity are

expected to inform the respondents in the area to vaccinate the flock against economically important

diseases (Markos Tibbo, 2006). The woreda officials can also organize regular antihelmentic and vaccine

camps so that maximum coverage can be ascertained. The respondents from Sago had also indicated that

water shortage is one of the primordial problems faced in the region and this can be minimized through

implementation of water harvesting techniques and development of underground water by governments.

4. Conclusion and recommendation

From the study it was concluded that shortage of animal feeds and water cause due reduction in goat

production. The farmers in the study areas have indigenous knowledge on individual flock identification

system by giving specific name for each goat/flock. The farmers goats breeding objectives, their traits of

preference and their management practices in the study areas are differing from each other. Some farmers

do not use any selection criteria for breeding of their goats and their breeding objectives are mainly

targeted for milk production just for family consumption. Their goats’ management practices are mainly

focused on natural vegetation for feeding of their flocks, using of common house /enclosure for keeping of

goats during night time. But during the dry season they frequently migrate for searching of feeds and

water to mitigate water shortage.

In Recommendation: - The inbreeding coefficient of the study is high; to minimize the level of

inbreeding, a scheme by which breeding buck exchanged between farmers should be developed. Strong

attention to be given by government and partners to strengthen veterinary services including training,

credit facilities, and formation of farmers cooperative to facilitate drugs supply and distribution in order to

prevent lose due to disease. Feed conservation, introduction of adapted improved forages and strategic

supplementation schemes should be sought and made available to the farmers.

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