Flock Dynamics, Production Challenges and Opportunities of Indigenous Goat and Sheep Populations in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Authors

  • Teweldemedhn Mekonen Tigray Agricultural Research Institute; Humera Begait Animals Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia
  • Shishay Markos Tigray Agricultural Research Institute; Humera Begait Animals Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia
  • Kibrom Esak Tigray Agricultural Research Institute; Humera Begait Animals Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia
  • Tesfay Ataklti Tigray Agricultural Research Institute; Humera Begait Animals Research Center, Tigray, Ethiopia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54536/ijvmas.v1i1.2975

Keywords:

Flock Dynamics, Challenges, Opportunities, Indigenous, Goats, Sheep, Diseases, Parasites, Index Ranking, Economic Importance, Income Sources, Tropical Livestock Unit

Abstract

The survey was conducted before the war (before October 2020) in Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia. Indigenous (102 Begait, 106 Hassan and 181 Arado) goat respondents and sheep respondents (126 Begait, 37 Rutanna and 90 Arado) were randomly involved in the head to head interview. Statistical Package for Social Sciences, index ranking and mathematical formulas were used for data analysis. The objective of this survey was to assess flock dynamics, production challenges and opportunities of indigenous goat and sheep populations. Very limited numbers of goat respondents (17% of Begait, 1% of Hassan and 6% of Arado) and sheep respondents (5% of Begait and 7% of Arado) were female headed households. Goat respondents of about 42% of Begait, 29% of Hassan and 55% of Arado were illiterate whereas 25% of Begait, 43% of Hassan and 26% of Arado goat respondents, and 48% of Begait and 57% of Rutanna sheep respondents attended lower primary school. About half (50%) of the Arado sheep respondents were illiterate. The indigenous goat (Begait, Hassan and Arado) and sheep (Begait, Rutanna and Arado) populations were kept under low input extensive production system. Economic contributions ranking of the respondents indicated that goat, cattle and sheep were ranked first, second and third in goat survey whilst sheep, goats and cattle were ranked first, second and third in sheep survey, respectively. Indigenous goat respondents reported that the first, second, and third ranked income sources of the respondents were crop production, goat production, and cattle production, whereas crop production, sheep production, and goat production were the first, second, and third ranked income sources of the indigenous sheep respondents. The major entry in all the indigenous goat and sheep in 2017 production year was additions of newborns to the flocks. Sale and death were the first and second ranked exits in indigenous goats and sheep. Except Hassan goats (+0.1%), flock dynamics (%) in entries and exits of indigenous goat and sheep flocks were at decreasing rates which greatly damaged the economy of the respondents. Begait flock (-16.5%) and Arado flock (-16.7%) goat populations were highly decreased in 2017 production year compared to indigenous sheep flock populations. Respondents of indigenous goat (92% of Begait, 99% of Hassan and 99% of Arado) and sheep (all respondents-100%) reported production challenges and negatively affected productivity. Respondents of indigenous goat (87% of Begait, 80% of Hassan and 38% of Arado) and sheep (76% of Begait, 100% of Rutanna and 53% of Arado respondents) reported production opportunities which could enhance small ruminant productivity. The first, second and third ranked challenges in the indigenous goat and sheep were rangeland scarcity, diseases and lack of veterinary services, respectively. Rangeland scarcity directly negatively affected annual reproductive rate of the indigenous goat and sheep of the study areas. The first, second and third ranked diseases in both goat and sheep were shipping fever, Coenuruses and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia, respectively. The first and second ranked external parasites in both goat and sheep were ticks and fleas whilst the third ranked external parasites in goats was sore mouth and in sheep was jigger flea infestation. Therefore, the diseases, external parasites and challenges should be taken in to account in the designing of genetic improvement of the indigenous goat and sheep of the study areas. Veterinary service centers should also be accessible to all indigenous goat and sheep producers in the study areas.

References

Abdi, A., Kawnin, A., & Abdulahi, M. (2023). Characterization of goat husbandry practices in Dollo Zone, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia. American Journal of Aquaculture and Animal Science, 2(2), 10-18. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajaas.v2i2.1780

Abera, A. (2021). Review on sheep and goat production systems in Ethiopia. Advances in Dairy Research, 9(9), 674.

Admasu, L., Aberra, M., & Sandip, B. (2017). Traditional sheep production systems and breeding practices in Wolayita Zone of Southern Ethiopia. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 12(20), 1689-1701. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2016.11940

Alefe, T. (2016). Phenotypic characterization of indigenous goat types and their production system in Shabelle Zone, South Eastern Ethiopia. International Journal of Innovative Research & Development, 5(14). ISSN 2278-0211 (Online).

Alubel, A. (2015). On-farm phenotypic characterization and performance evaluation of Abergelle and Central Highland goat breeds as an input for designing community-based breeding program (Master’s thesis, Haramaya University).

Amare, B., Yesihak, Y., & Ahmed, M. (2019). Breeding practices, flock structure, and reproductive performance of Begait sheep in Ethiopia. Journal of Reproduction and Infertility, 10(2), 24-39. https://doi.org/10.5829/idosi.jri.2019.24.39

Ameha, S. (2008). Sheep and goat meat characteristics and quality. In A. Yami & R. C. Merkel (Eds.), Sheep and goat production handbook for Ethiopia (pp. 323-328). Ethiopian Sheep and Goats Productivity Improvement Program (ESGPIP).

Azimi, A., Anwari, S., & Keyhani, A. (2022). Sheep production systems and breeding practices in Badghis Province. Indian Journal of Agricultural Life Sciences, 2(6), 13-20. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7386109

Banerjee, A., Animut, G., & Ermias, E. (2000). Selection and breeding strategies for increased productivity of goats in Ethiopia. In R. C. Merkel, G. Abebe, & A. L. Goetsch (Eds.), The opportunities and challenges of enhancing goat production in East Africa: Proceedings of a conference held at Debub University, Awassa, Ethiopia from November 10 to 12, 2000 (pp. 70-79). E (Kika) de la Garza Institute for Goat Research, Langston University.

Belete, S. (2009). Production and marketing systems of small ruminants in Central Statistical Agency of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (Agricultural Sample Survey of 2011/12 (2004 E.C), Volume II: Report on livestock and livestock characteristics (Private peasant holdings)). Central Statistical Agency.

Chanyalew, D., Gebeyehu, G., Mekonnen, G., & Dinsa, Y. (2009). Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (Volume I: Final draft). Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute. (2014). Ethiopia’s fifth national report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

EEA (Ethiopian Economic Association/Ethiopian Economic Policy Research Institute). (2006). Evaluation of the Ethiopian Agricultural Extension with Emphasis on the Participatory Demonstration and Training Extension System (PADETES). Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. (2020). Livestock research results completed in 2019 (F. Feyissa, G. Kitaw, F. Kassa, & G. Kebede, Eds.). Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. ISBN 9789994466672

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. (2022). Livestock research results 2021 (Vol. 10). (F. Feyissa, T. Jembere, G. Kitaw, & G. Kebede, Eds.). Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research. ISBN 9789994466764

Ethiopian Society of Animal Production. (2014). Livestock and economic growth: Value chains as pathways for development. Proceedings of the 21st Annual Conference of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, August 28–30, 2014. Ethiopian Society of Animal Production.

Ethiopian Society of Animal Production. (2015). The private sector in the Ethiopian livestock industry: Investment opportunities and challenges. Proceedings of the 22nd Annual Conference of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, August 28–30, 2015. Ethiopian Society of Animal Production.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2009). Sheep and goats for diverse products and profits (Diversification booklet No. 9). Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division.

Fekerte, F. (2008). On-farm characterization of Blackhead Somali sheep breed and its production system in Shinile and Erer districts of Shinile Zone (Master’s thesis, Haramaya University).

Gatew H., H. Hassen, K. Kebede, A. Haile, R. N. B. Lobo, A. Yetayew and B. Rischkowsky (2017). Husbandry practices and phenotypic characteristics of indigenous goat populations in Ethiopia. Afr. J. Agric. Res., 12(36), 2729-2741, 7 September, 2017, https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2016.11282,

Gedefaw, M., & Gebremariam, B. (2019). Breeding objectives and practices of smallholder sheep production in Habru Woreda, North Wollo Zone of Amhara, Ethiopia. Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research, 8(2), 64-72. ISSN 2320-4818

Gatew H., H. Hassen, K. Kebede, A. Haile, R. N. B. Lobo, A. Yetayew and B. Rischkowsky (2017). Husbandry practices and phenotypic characteristics of indigenous goat populations in Ethiopia. Afr. J. Agric. Res., 12(36), 2729-2741.

Getaneh, D., & Mekete, G. (2023). Identification of livestock production constraints and husbandry practices reared in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of Selamago Woreda of South Omo Zone, Ethiopia. ES Journal of Agriculture and Current Research, 3(2), 1016.

Gizaw S., Getachew, T., Edea, Z., Mirkena, T., Duguma, G., Tibbo, M., Rischkowsky, B., Mwai, O., Dessie, T., Wurzinger, M., Solkner, J. and Haile, A. (2013a). Characterization of indigenous breeding strategies of the sheep farming communities of Ethiopia: A basis for designing community-based breeding programs. ICARDA working paper, Aleppo, Syria. 47.

Hailu, T. (2023). Assessment on rearing and husbandry practices of indigenous goats in North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 51(1), 242-255. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2023.2185625

Halima, H., Michael, B., Barbara, R., & Markos, T. (2012). Phenotypic characterization of Ethiopian indigenous goat populations. African Journal of Biotechnology, 11(73), 13838-13846.

Helen, N., Yoseph, M., Solomon, A., Kefelegn, K., & Sanjoy, K. (2015). Indigenous sheep production system in Eastern Ethiopia: Implications for genetic improvement and sustainable use. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS), 11(1), 136-152. ISSN (Print) 2313-4410, ISSN (Online) 2313-4402

IBM. (2019). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (Version 26). IBM.

Kosgey, I. (2004). Breeding objectives and breeding strategies for small ruminants in the tropics (PhD thesis, Wageningen University). Wageningen University. ISBN 90-5808-990-8

Lamesegn, D., Tegegne, F., Mekuriaw, Y., & Ayalew, H. (2018). Husbandry practices of sheep in Hulet Eju Enesie district, East Gojjam zone, Ethiopia. Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research, 8(6), 150-157. https://www.ojafr.ir

Legesse, G. (2008). Productive and economic performance of small ruminants in two production systems of the highlands of Ethiopia (PhD dissertation, University of Hohenheim). Stuttgart-Hohenheim.

Lelisa, D., & Taye, K. (2020). Assessments of husbandry practices, major constraints, and opportunities of sheep and goat production in Sinana district, Bale Zone, Ethiopia. International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, 5(3), 01-06. ISSN 2456-2912

Markos, T. (2006). Productivity and health of indigenous sheep breeds and crossbreeds in the central highland of Ethiopia (PhD dissertation, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences). Uppsala, Sweden.

Mekonnen, H., Kalayou, S., Kyule, M., Asfaha, M., & Belihu, K. (2011). Effect of Brucella infection on reproductive conditions of female breeding cattle and its public health significance in Western Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Veterinary Medicine International.

Mukasa-Mugerwa, E., Anindo, D., Sovani, S., Lahlou-Kassi, A., Tebely, S., Rege, J., & Baker, R. (2002). Reproductive performance and productivity of Menz and Horro sheep lambing in the wet and dry seasons in the highlands of Ethiopia. Small Ruminant Research, 45, 261-271.

Rege, J., & Lebbie, S. (2000). The goat resource of Africa: Origin, distribution, and contribution to the national economies. In Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Goats (pp. 927-931). Tours, France.

Shegaw, A., Elias, B., & Dessalegn, G. (2021). Indigenous goat husbandry practices and its production environment in southwestern Ethiopia. American Journal of Zoology, 4(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajz.20210401.11

Shishay, M., Berhanu, B., & Tadelle, D. (2024). Characterization of village chicken production systems in three agro-climatic zones of Western Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. American Journal of Aquaculture and Animal Science, 3(1), 09-24. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajaas.v3i1.2192

Singh, D., Kerketta, P., Kumar, A., & Neeraj. (2018). Constraints in goat and sheep husbandry practices in Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 7(2), 1132-1135. E-ISSN 2278-4136, P-ISSN 2349-8234

Solomon, G., Azage, T., Berhanu, G., & Dirk, H. (2010). Sheep and goat production and marketing systems in Ethiopia: Characteristics and strategies for improvement (IPMS (Improving Productivity and Market Success) of Ethiopian Farmers Project Working Paper No. 23). International Livestock Research Institute.

IBM. (2019). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (Version 26). IBM.

Tade, B., Melesse, A., & Betsha, S. (2023). Characterization of husbandry practices of indigenous goat populations in South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. Poultry, Fish & Wildlife Sciences, 11(3), 241. https://doi.org/10.35248/2375-446X.23.11.241

Tesfay, B., Tsegay, G., Haftu, K., Teferi, A., & Bereket, H. (Eds.). (2019). Participatory agricultural production constraints appraisal: Implication for research and development interventions in Southern, North Western, and Western Zones of Tigray (Working Paper No. 1). Tigray Agricultural Research Institute and Agricultural Growth Program-II.

Tsedeke, K. (2007). Production and marketing of sheep and goats in Alaba, SNNPR [Unpublished manuscript]. Hawassa University.

Tsegaye, T. (2009). Characterization of goat production systems and On-farm evaluation of the growth performance of Grazing goats supplemented with different protein Sources in Metema woreda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. MSc. Thesis, Haramaya University, Ethiopia.

Western Zone Office of Information and Communication. (2015). Hiza’eti Tigray (Vol. 3, pp. 5-6). Western Zone Office of Information and Communication.

Published

2024-08-20

How to Cite

Mekonen, T., Markos, S., Esak, K., & Ataklti, T. (2024). Flock Dynamics, Production Challenges and Opportunities of Indigenous Goat and Sheep Populations in North Western and Western Zones of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. International Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, 1(1), 32–45. https://doi.org/10.54536/ijvmas.v1i1.2975