Goat production system and breeding practices in pastoral and mixed crop livestock production system in south western part of Ethiopia

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1 AGRICULTURE AND BIOLOGY JOURNAL OF NORTH AMERICA ISSN Print: , ISSN Online: , doi: /abjna , ScienceHuβ, Goat production system and breeding practices in pastoral and mixed crop livestock production system in south western part of Ethiopia Tegegn Fantahun* and Askale G/Michael Mizan-Tepi University, Department of Animal sciences, P.O. Box 260, Mizan-Teferi, Ethiopia *Corresponding author. Phone: ABSTRACT This study was conducted to assess the goat production system, breeding practices and constraints of goat production in pastoral and mixed crop livestock production of Surma district of Bench Maji zone and Cheta district of Kaffa zone. Semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussion and observations were used to generate data. Descriptive statistics and ranking index were used for data analysis. The average goats holding size in pastoral and mixed crop livestock production were 25.2 and 6.1, respectively. All of the respondents in pastoral (100%) and 53.7% in mixed crop livestock production systems were utilized natural uncontrolled mating. In both production systems, farmers and pastoralist had given more attention and selected breeding does than bucks. In pastoral production, disease and marketing problems while in mixed crop livestock production, feed shortage and disease were the first and second ranked constraints of goat production, correspondingly. The pastoral goat production system was characterized by having large number of goat flock size as compared with the mixed crop-livestock system in the study areas. The large goat flock size observed in pastoral production system should be used as an opportunity to carry out strong selection for genetic improvement and to diversify income of the pastoralist in the areas. Key words: Cheta, constraints, Ethiopia, goat, production, Surma INTRODUCTION Goats are a powerful tool in assistance to alleviate poverty (Madsen et al., 2007). They provided useful to man throughout the ages due to their productivity, small size, and non-competiveness with him for food (Tibbo et al., 2006; Mahmoud, 2010), and continue to hold an important niche particularly in subsistence agriculture in the developing countries (Solaiman, 2010). Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa and the number of goats reported is estimated to be about million (CSA, 2013). Utilities and products of goats in Ethiopia vary with the traditional farming practices (FARM Africa, 1996), and they make a very valuable multidimensional contribution (Mahmoud, 2010; Umeta et al., 2011). Goats have great adaptability to varying environmental conditions and to different nutritional regimes (Madsen et al., 2007; Mahmoud, 2010). The indigenous goat breeds/types are widely distributed across all agro-ecological zones in Ethiopia (FARM Africa, 1996) and over the whole range of production systems from intensive smallholder production to very extensive nomadic pastoralism (Payne and Wilson, 2003). Goats are an under-used and poorly understood resource as compared to cattle and sheep (Mahmoud, 2010). Despite their economic importance, particularly to the most vulnerable groups of the community, little attention has been paid to the development of goats (FARM Africa, 1996; Umeta et al., 2011). Goats are important for diversifying production, creating employment, increasing income, contributing to human nutrition and reducing risk during crop failure, property security and investment (Peacock, 2005). A systematic description of the goat production system systems considered a prerequisite for planning the rational use of the national goat resources (Rege et al., 1992). Furthermore, detailed and up-to-date information on production system, indigenous knowledge of managing the breed, identification of important traits for selection with full participation of farmers are prerequisites (Kosgey et al., 2006) for sustainable utilization of the goat genetic resources. Therefore, this study was 67

2 conducted to assess goat production systems, breeding practices and production constraint in pastoral production system in Surma district of Bench Maji zone and mixed crop livestock production system in Cheta district of Kaffa zone, south western part of Ethiopia. Materials and Methods Description of the Study Area: The study was conducted at Surma district (pastoral production) and Cheta district (mixed crop livestock production) of Bench Maji and Kaffa zones, respectively. Bench Maji is bordered with Kaffa zone in North, Debub Omo in North East direction, Sheka zone in South West, with Gambela and South Sudden Republic in South direction. Surma district is bordered on the south and west by South Sudan, on the northwest by the Gambela Region, on the north by Bero, and on the east by Maji (BMZ, 2013). Cheta is bordered on the west by Decha, on the north by Telo, and on the east by the Konta special woreda (KFZ, 2014). Sampling procedure and data collection: Cheta and Surma districts of Kaffa and Bench Maji zones were selected based on agro-ecology, production system and the goat population potential purposively. Then, three kebeles were selected namely Duba, Key and Kolla from Cheta whereas Regie, Gomae and Kideley kebeles were selected from Surma district based on goat population potential and accessibility. The total number of respondents in Cheta and Surma was 90 and 60, respectively. Semi-structured questionnaire, observation and group discussion were used as tool to gather data. General information list of FAO (2011) and Oromia livestock breed survey questionnaire (Workneh et al., 2004) was used as a checklist in designing the questionnaire. Therefore, the questionnaire survey was enabled us to investigate social-economic aspects, flock size and structure, husbandry practices, constraints of production systems, breeding and selection practice of the community. Statistical analysis: The data were organized, summarized and analyzed using SPSS statistical package (SPSS 20.0, 2011). For data involving frequencies, descriptive statistics were employed and indexes were developed for ranking data. The index was calculated by the following formula: Index = sum of (3 for rank for rank for rank 3) given for an individual reason (attribute) divided by the sum of (3 for rank for rank for rank 3) for overall reasons. RESULTS Goat flock size and structure: The average flock size of goats per household was 25.2 (ranges 11-43) in pastoral and 6.1 (ranges 2 to 16) in mixed crop livestock production systems as shown in Table 1. From the total flock, male goats constitute 36.43% whereas female goats about 63.57% from goat flock reported. Flock structure of goat reported that young stock less than six months were 44.33%, above a year 36.43% and flock of aged between 6 months and a year constitute 19.24%. The results of group discussion revealed the reason for lower proportion of males in the flock were due to male goats were sold as a source of income, slaughtered for different cultural and religious ceremonious. Table 1. Livestock holdings per household at the study areas (average) Descriptor Surma (N=60) Cheta (N=90) Mean ± SD Min. to Max. Mean ± SD Min. to Max. Cattle 35.97± ± Sheep ± Goat 25.20± ± Horse ± Mule ± Donkey ±0 1-1 Chicken 12.80± ± Purpose of keeping goats in study area: Goats were kept for multi purposes mainly as income source, wealth status indication, meat and cultural ceremonies in the study areas. However, no respondents in both districts were reported as they kept goats for milk. In Pastoral production system, 68

3 respondents ranked their main source of cash income into sale of livestock and livestock products as their first and sale of crops mainly (Maize and Sorghum) the second. In Cheta district, sales of crops ranked as their first and sale of livestock and livestock products were ranked as the second sources of income as shown in Table 2. Table 2. Ranked cash income source of the households (%)* Source of income Surma (N=60) Cheta (N=90) R 1 R 2 R 3 I R 1 R 2 R 3 I Crops Livestock & LS products Homemade products Salary/ wage * R 1, R 2 and R 3 = rank 1, 2 and 3, respectively; I= index Feed resources and Feeding practices: In Surma district, majority of the respondents used natural pasture and fallow lands and few (8.33%) of them were also used crop residues as an additional source of feed, near riverbank and forest areas. This result showed that the respondents mainly rely on natural pasture as source of feed for their goats. During dry season, the respondents in Surma described that they moved to another area in search of feed for their livestock. Majority of the respondents in Cheta (91.11%) used controlled browsing by herding and tethering of their goats, though 8.89% of them used free browsing. In contrast, free browsing was the commonest method in Surma district and few (6.67) of respondents revealed that they divided their fallow lands and used controlled grazing. In Cheta district, during rainy and dry seasons on average goats were browsed 6 to 7 and 9 to 10 hours per day, respectively. Similarly, at Surma district, during rainy and dry seasons on average goats were browsed 7-8 hours and hours, respectively. All classes of the goats were herded together during the daytime. However, newborn kids were managed separately for some days near the house. Breeding practices and Mating Systems: Selection of breeding stock was practiced at variable rate pastoral and mixed crop livestock production systems in the study areas. Majority (68.3%) of the respondents at Cheta and 53.3% at Surma had given more attention and selected breeding does. On the other hand, only 48.5%, and 36.7% of the respondents practiced selection of breeding bucks at Cheta and Surma, correspondingly. The study revealed that majority of pastoralists in Surma district (100%) owned their breeding bucks, though majority of farmers in Cheta district (66.3%) were borrowed from neighbours and/ or relatives for breeding purposes. Natural uncontrolled mating system was the predominant (100%) in Surma district and 53.7% at Cheta district because the goat flock browsed and housed together. However, 46.3% of the respondents in Cheta district used natural controlled mating system this might be due to shortage of bucks and controlled grazing system in the area. Castration was practiced by 58.1% of the farmers in Cheta, though 81.7% of the pastoralist in Surma districts was not practiced. Majority (63.6%) of the farmers were used closed castrations methods by using traditional method in Cheta district. Goats were castrated commonly at age range of 6 months and 1 year in the areas. Castration was practiced to improve fattening potential to get higher selling price and also to control temperament of bucks. However, castration for controlled breeding was not reported in both areas. Constraints of goat production: In Cheta district, feed shortage and disease ranked first and second with index 0.42 and 0.25, respectively as presented in Table 3. However, disease ranked first with index (0.35) and market ranked second with index (0.30) in Surma district. According to the farmers report the common disease occurred were respiratory disease, internal parasite, and external parasites. 69

4 Table 3. Ranked constraints for goat production at the study areas (%)* Constraints Surma(N=60) Cheta(N=90) R 1 R 2 R 3 I R 1 R 2 R 3 I Feed shortage Water shortage Disease occurrence Drought Market problem Labor shortage Predators * R 1, R 2 and R 3 = rank 1, 2 and 3, respectively; I= index DISCUSSION The goat flock size was higher in the Surma pastoral district as compared to Cheta. Goat flock size report in this study were lower than the report of Grum (2010) for Short Eared Somali goat population (32.8) but higher goat flock size were reported in Surma than the case reported by FARM Africa (1996) Central Highland (10), Woyto-Guji (11) and Western lowland goats (11), Arsi-Bale goats (7). The result in Cheta was closely related with previous report of Keffa goats (6) FARM Africa (1996). The large goat flock size found in Surma district is an opportunity to carry out strong selection for genetic improvement and increasing income of the farmers in the areas. In Ethiopia, indigenous goats are an important resource for farmers, providing meat, milk, manure, fibres and skins, and satisfying various cultural and religious functions (FARM Africa, 1996; CSA, 2013; Tesfaye, 2004).Goats were kept for multi purposes, though not reported for milk in the study area. This might be due to lack of traditional/culture practices in milking and drinking of goats milk in the study areas. This finding was in contrast to the report Grum (2010) and FARM Africa (1996) goats are milked in all other parts of the country with the exception parts of Gojam, Wellega, Kaffa and Wolayta (FARM Africa 1996). Selection of breeding stock was practiced at variable rate in pastoral and mixed crop livestock production systems in the study areas. In both production systems farmers and pastoralist gave more attention for breeding does than bucks. This finding is not inline with Grum (2010) 97.6% select buck for breeding and 38.7% selection of breeding females. Natural uncontrolled mating system was the predominant (100%) in Surma district because flock of goats browsed and housed together; however, 46.3% of the farmers in Cheta district used natural controlled mating system this might be due to shortage of bucks and controlled grazing system in the mixed crop livestock production system. Similarly, the studies in different part of the country revealed that natural uncontrolled mating is a method to breed different livestock species and almost all farmers and pastoralists practiced this system (Wondwosen, 2007). This finding is not in agreement with the result of Grum (2010) 96.7% of respondents controlled mating. Good understanding of the relative importance of the different constraints is fundamental prior to initiating any genetic improvement programme (Baker and Gray, 2003). In Cheta district, feed shortage and disease ranked first and second constraints, respectively. This was mainly associated with shrinkage of browsing lands, destructive nature and herding difficulty of goats in area. This finding was in agreement with the report of Grum (2010) and Tibbo (2000) goat production constraint is mainly feed shortage due to a lack of browse species resulting from deforestation. In Surma district, disease was the first ranked constraints. Similar to the current study, some reports in the country indicated that disease is the major goat production constraints to Afar, Central highland, Western highland and Western lowland goats (FARM Africa, 1996; CSA, 2011). CONCLUSION The pastoral goat production system in Surma district was characterized by having large number of goat flock size as compared with the mixed crop-livestock system in Cheta district. In both production systems, goats were kept mainly for income generation but goat milk were not consumed. Free browsing and natural uncontrolled mating in pastoral while controlled browsing and castration in mixed croplivestock production system were predominantly practiced. In both production systems, more attention was given for selection of does than bucks. In pastoral production system, disease and marketing 70

5 problems whereas in mixed crop-livestock system feed shortage and disease occurrence were the major production constraints in the study area. The large flock size observed in pastoral goat production system should be used as an opportunity to carry out strong selection for genetic improvement and to diversify income of the pastoralist in the areas. In general, the current husbandry practices and breeding practices should be improved for sustainable utilization of the goat genetic resources in the areas. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Mizan-Tepi University for financial support to conduct the study. Next we would also want to acknowledge farmers and pastoralist who were positively cooperate for the success of this works. REFERENCES Baker, R.L, Gray, G.D (2003). Appropriate breeds and breeding schemes for sheep and goats in the tropics: the importance of characterizing and utilizing disease resistance and adaptation to tropical stresses. In: Sani R., Gray G.D. and Baker R.L. (eds.), Better Worm Control for Small Ruminants in Tropical Asia, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Monograph. BMZ(Bench Maji Zone) (2013). Annual report of Bench Maji Zone Agricultural and Rural Development Main Department. CSA (Central Statistical Authority) (2013). Agricultural sample survey 2012/13 report on livestock and livestock characteristics. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 2(507). FAO(Food and Agriculture Organization) (2011). Draft guidelines on phenotypic characterization of animal genetic resources. Commission on genetic resources for food and agriculture. Thirteenth Regular Session. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Rome, Italy. FARM Africa (1996). Goat Types of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Physical description and management systems. FARM-Africa, London, UK, and ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute), Nairobi, Kenya. Grum, G (2010). Community-based participatory characterization of the Short Eared Somali goat population around Dire Dawa, (MSc. Thesis, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia). KFZ(Kaffa Zone) (2014). Annual report of Kaffa Zone Agricultural and Rural Development Main Department. Kosgey, I. S, Baker, R.L, Udo, H. M. J, van Arendonk, J. A. M (2006). Successes and failures of small ruminant breeding programs in the tropics: A review. Small Ruminant Research 61: Madsen, J, Nielsen, M.O, Henriksen, J (2007). Use of goats in poverty alleviation and potential effects on the environment. Copenhagen, Denmark. Mahmoud, A. A (2010). Present status of the world goat populations and their productivity. Lohmann information. 45 (2): Payne, W. J. A, Wilson, R. T (2003). An Introduction to Animal Husbandry in the Tropics. Blackwell science Ltd. Peacock, C (2005). Goats: Unlocking their potential for Africa s farmers. Farm-Africa Working Papers Series No. 2. Paper presented at the Seventh Conf. of Ministers Responsible for Animal Resources, 31 October 4 November, 2005, Kigali, Rwanda. Rege, J. E. O, Lipner, M. E (eds) (1992). African animal genetic resources: Their characterisation, conservation and utilisation. Proc. of the Research Planning Workshop held at ILCA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,19 21 February1992, ILCA (International Livestock Centre for Africa), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 172 pp.. Solaiman, S. G (2010). Goat Science and Production. 1 st Edition. Blackwell Publishing. Tesfaye, A (2004). Genetic characterization of indigenous goat populations of Ethiopia using microsatellite DNA markers. PhD thesis, NDRI, India. Tibbo, M (2000). Livestock production constraints in a M2-2 sub-agro ecological zone with special reference to goat production. In: Proceeding of a conference held at Debub University, November 2000, Tibbo, M, Philipsson, J, Ayalew, W (2006). Sustainable sheep breeding programmes in the Tropics: Framework for Ethiopia. Conf. on International Agriculture Research for Development University of Bonn, Germany. Umeta, G, Hundesa, F, Duguma, M, Muleta, M (2011). Analysis of goat production situation at Arsi Negele Woreda, Ethiopia. Journal of Stored Production Postharvest Research 2(8): Workneh, A, van Dorland, A, Rowlands, J (eds) (2004). Design, execution and analysis of the livestock breed survey in Oromiya Regional State, Ethiopia. OADB (Oromiya Agricultural Development Bureau), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute), Nairobi, Kenya. 260 pp. Wondwosen, K (2007). Husbandry practices of goats in Dalocha woreda,southern Ethiopia, (MSc. Thesis, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia). 71