Implementation of Community-based Sheep Breeding Programs in Different Production Systems in Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper presents implementation process of community-based sheep breeding schemes selected by different communities among alternatives simulated following breeding objective traits identified through participatory approaches in Ethiopia. Four study areas: Afar (pastoral), Bonga and Horro (crop-livestock), and Menz (sheep-barley) were considered. Three measureable traits that were most preferred by the respective communities were selected as objective traits and used for simulation of alternative breeding schemes. The alternative schemes were presented to communities and jointly discussed upon with scientists focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of the different scenarios. Equipped, with this information, the project members finally made a decision as to which scheme(s) they liked and therefore want to implement. Prior to implementation, baseline information was collected for benchmarking and evaluation of the changes that will be realized from the improvement intervention. A total of 1364 in Afar, 1074 in Bonga, 2248 in Horro and 2411 in Menz sheep were ear-tagged. Recording formats were developed and enumerators were employed for communities to assist households in the measurements and recording. Monitoring of the breeding activities was done fortnightly by research team. Two stages of selection were applied to select breeding rams: initial screening at 6- and final selection at 12 months of age. A committee composed of 5 members from each community was actively involved in the selection process. A total of 14, 21, 36, and 50 rams have been selected and distributed for use in Afar, Bonga, Horro and Menz, respectively in two rounds of selection.