Conservation-Based Breeding Program for Indigenous Sheep Breeds in Ethiopia: The Way Forward

Abstract

Sheep have contributed considerable portion to the integrated farming systems in Ethiopia. This paper focus on the role of characterizing indigenous sheep breed, including their threat status in genetic improvement and development of conservation programs. This paper review brifly sheep genetic resources, description of farming systems, breeding objectives of the community, evaluation of growth and reproductive performance studies. Information obtained from past characterization studies can assist in designing and developing genetic improvement programs for sustainable utilization of the most promising and widely used breeds in the country. The most crucial and urgently needed research activity is on development of breeding programs suitable to the conditions of smallholder farmers, particularly regarding the practical implementation of breeding programs.