Evaluation of Abera Sheep Community-Based Breeding Programs in Dara and Hula Districts, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating Abera sheep community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) in Dara and Hula districts of Sidama Regional State and station-based breed improvement programs which has been implemented since 2018. Performance and pedigree data obtained from the ongoing community-based breeding programs and from the on-station program were used. Furthermore, survey data were used to evaluate the ongoing CBBPs. A total of 188 households, 91 CBBP participants and 97 non-participants were selected using proportional and simple random sampling methods, respectively. On-farm least-square mean of bodyweight at birth, weaning age, six-month age, yearling age, pre-weaning daily gain, and post-weaning daily weight gain was observed as 3.14±0.01 kg,15.13±0.016 kg, 20.80 kg, 28.63 kg, 135.31±0.50 g, and 63.64±0.49 g, respectively. Sex, litter size, years, dam parity, and breeder cooperatives were observed as fixed factors had effect on farm six-month growth performance (P<0.05) of sheep. Further Abera sheep performed better on-farm condition than on station (p<0.05) under current management condition. Survey result revealed that CBBP participants had owned significantly (p<0.05) larger flock size than non-participants with mean±SE value of 7.28±0.45 and 4.99 ±0.81 heads, respectively. CPPP participants witnessed that Abera CBBP is driving significant economic benefit to their livelihood; and earned annual income of ETB 3877 which was significantly (p<0.05) higher by ETB 1870 than annual income earned by non-participants households. Similarly, CBBP participants had more market participation and sold significantly (p<0.05) larger number (2.4±0.2) of sheep than non participating households. Further, sheep owned by CBBP participants had short lambing interval; and reached breeding and marketing age in shorter time. In addition, most CBBP participants (82%) observed improved twining rate since they joined the breeding program. Survey result indicated that essential institutional arrangement and organizational support was poor and not well placed for proper establishment of Abera CBBP. Heritability estimate of studied reproductive traits was low (0.04 – 0.11 for litter size); (0.001 – 0.09 for total litter weight at birth) and (0.001 – 0.09 for total litter weight at weaning) across breeder cooperatives. Genetic trend for studied reproductive traits was positive in most breeder cooperatives but not in all. Poor market linkage, poor government support and follow-up, committee managerial problems, sheep mortality, and feed shortage during dry seasons and lack sufficient finance to buy essential inputs were identified as problems affecting the breeding program. This study concluded that CBBP has appreciable contribution to community. Strong institutional arrangement and organization support as well as their strong collaboration is needed to increase the contribution of CBBP to community; and to take breeding program to its expected performance level. Improving management considering the variations observed in fixed effects and use of economic selection index accommodating reproduction and other traits need to be considered to improve the overall benefit of the breeding program.