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Indigenous sheep resources of Ethiopia: Types, production systems and farmers preferences

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Title Indigenous sheep resources of Ethiopia: Types, production systems and farmers preferences
 
Creator Gizaw, Solomon
Komen, Hans
Hanotte, Olivier H.
Arendonk, Johan A.M. van
 
Subject SHEEP
ANIMAL PRODUCTION
BREEDS
ETHIOPIA
FARMERS
PRODUCTION
ETHIOPIA
AFRICA
EAST AFRICA
 
Description Ethiopia has a diverse sheep population, numbering 23.6 million, in parallel with its diverse ecology, production systems and communities. A comprehensive phenotypic and genetic characterization of Ethiopian sheep populations was initiated in 2005 to provide a nationwide framework for the management of sheep genetic resources. In this paper, we describe the indigenous sheep types in terms of physical characteristics, eco-regional distribution and community affinity. We also present relationships of sheep types with agricultural production systems, and farmers'/pastoralists' assessment of their sheep types. Fourteen traditionally recognized sheep types were identified and physically described.The sheep types could be categorized into four groups (sub-alpine short-fat-tailed, highland long-fat-tailed, lowland fat-rumped and lowland thin-tailed) based on their ecological distribution, tail types (fat-tail versus thin-tail), tail form/shape, and fiber type. There is high morphological and ecological diversity among the major sheep groups as well as among the sheep types. There is also a strong relationship between sheep types, ethnic groups and production systems. Assessment of the genetic distinctiveness of the traditional sheep types is important for developing rational conservation-based improvement programs. Molecular genetic assessment of the population structure is a follow up activity.
 
Date 2016-02-08T09:07:59Z
2016-02-08T09:07:59Z
2008
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier http://hdl.handle.net/10568/70952
 
Language en
 
Source Animal Genetic Resources Information Bulletin