Evaluation of the Community-Based Breeding Program for Indigenous Sheep in the Sidama Region, Ethiopia
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: A Community-Based Breeding Program (CBBP) has been viewed as a vital initiative to improve the genetic potential and overall productivity of many local sheep populations in many developing countries.As a productivity improvement intervention, CBBP has been implemented for the Abera sheep population reared in the Southern parts of Ethiopia since 2013.A total of six breeder cooperatives (Abera Gelede, Abera Atela, Abera Bongodo, Bochesa Gobe, Abera Doko and Abera Doko) have been organized under this breeding program.The overall aim of the breeding program was to improve the productivity of sheep and the income of producers while preserving indigenous genetic resources.The current study evaluates the performance of the mentioned breeding program in terms of sheep performance improvement and the income of producers.For the study, an eight-year sheep performance record was used to estimate non-genetic effects for productive traits and genetic effects for selected productive traits (litter size, total litter weight at birth and total litter weight at weaning).To complement evaluation, a total of 188 sheep producers, comprising 91 CBBP members and 97 non-members, were selected and interviewed.The Statistical Analysis System (SAS) was used to analyze growth data and the Univariate Animal Model under Wombat Software was employed to estimate variance components and genetic parameters.The survey
Source: Science Digest
Author: Sunkurta Digesa
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4413035176