Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Review on Challenges and Opportunities of Sheep Production Systems in Ethiopia

Andualem Yihun^* Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Oda Bultum University, Chiro, Ethiopia
^*Correspondence: Andualem Yihun, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Oda Bultum University, Chiro, Ethiopia, Email:

Received: 03-Oct-2022, Manuscript No. GJBAHS-22-18206; Editor assigned: 04-Oct-2022, Pre QC No. GJBAHS-22-18206 (PQ); Reviewed: 18-Oct-2022, QC No. GJBAHS-22-18206; Revised: 27-Jan-2023, Manuscript No. GJBAHS-22-18206 (R); Published: 03-Feb-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2319-5584.23.12.157

Introduction

Characteristics of sheep population trends

Ethiopia possesses the largest livestock population in Africa. Estimates for farmer holding in rural areas indicate that the country has about 56.71 million heads of cattle, 29.11 million goats, 29.33 million sheep, 2.03 million horses, 7.43 million donkeys, 0.4 million mules and 1.16 million camels central statistical agency [1]. The livestock production sub-sector has an enormous contribution to national economy and generating income to farmers, creating job opportunities, ensuring food security, providing services, contributing to asset, social, cultural and environmental values and sustain livelihoods central statistical agency [2]. The subsector is mainly of smallholder farming system having multipurpose use and contributes about 16.5% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 35.6% of the agricultural GDP, 15% of export earnings and 30% of agricultural employment [3].

The performance of livestock product marketing was poor in the last decade, despite some improvement in recent years, especially in terms of aggressive policy and strategy on livestock and livestock products export, indicating that the sector is still under exploited [4]. On the other hands, the current knowledge on livestock marketing systems, market routes, challenge and opportunities are inadequate for designing systems and institutional innovation to overcome perceived problems in the livestock and livestock product marketing [5].

Ethiopia is endowed with huge livestock resources of varied and diversified genetic pools with specific adaptations to a wide range of agro ecologies. Farm animals as a whole are an integral part of the country’s agricultural system and are raised in both the highland and lowland areas. In developing countries, livestock production is mostly subsistence oriented and fulfills multiple functions that contribute more for food security [6]. Sheep production is the most important agricultural activities in the highlands of Ethiopia where crop production is unreliable. Approximately 75% of the sheep are kept in small scale mixed farms in the highland regions, which cover regions of over 1500 altitude and receive over 700 mm of annual rainfall, while the remaining 25% are found in the lowlands [7]. Sheep are traditionally kept in smallholdings and are associated with the small scale resource poor livestock keepers. They have adapted to a range of environments from the cool alpine climate of the mountains to the hot and arid pastoral areas of the lowlands [8].

As can be seen the small ruminant industry in Ethiopia contributes substantially to the livelihood of the rural poor and the country at large but is faced with various challenges. Productivity per animal and flock off take are low. For example, recent estimates of the average annual off take rate from sheep and goat flocks for the years 2008 to 2010 indicate values between 30% and 38% [9]. Productivity is low for a range of reasons: High kid mortality, low growth rates, poor nutritional status resulting in infertility and long kidding intervals and disease prevalence. Controlled breeding is rare and there is limited culling of poorly performing does and breeding males. Genetic improvement of the small ruminants could contribute to reversing the challenges the sector faces. However, research and development investment in the sector and the attention given to the sector in general is very minimal. The little investments made in genetic improvement have generally focused on importation of exotic genetics and crossbreeding with the local stock, which were generally unsustainable and expensive failures. The government of Ethiopia recognizes the need for change in approach and community based breeding programs have now been identified as strategies of choice. Information on the origin and history of Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) is essential to the design of strategies for their sustainable management [10].

Literature Review

Socio economic importance of sheep production in Ethiopia

Indigenous sheep in Ethiopia have a multipurpose role for smallholder farmers as sources of income, meat, skin, manure and coarse wool or long hairy fleece. They are also a means of risk avoidance during crop failure. Thus, increasing the current level of productivity of sheep is essential to meet the demands of the ever increasing human population. On the other hand, by improving the productivity of sheep, export earnings as well as the income of the household will be improved. There are however, a number of constraints that affect the productivity of sheep such as mortality, feed scarcity and inadequate indigenous breed utilizations to production. Various scholars from different corners of the world have been advising that the performance of indigenous sheep could be improved through management and there is also potential for genetic improvement through selection. In all regions, small ruminant contribute significantly to food production and economic output. About 31-38% and 21-33% of the Ethiopian smallholder farmers own sheep and goat [11].

Diversification of sheep breeds

The diversification of sheep breeds has been drive from the selection of human being for different criteria such as colour, appearance, size and wool production. Environmental changes under the conditions of domestication would have permitted genetic variation to become more evident and thus more readily influenced by selection and the altered mating system. The process of domestication brought about a number of morphological and physiological modifications in sheep. The diversity created among each breed have a genetic basis and can be exploited in a structured cross breeding system designed for a specific production marketing situation [12,13].

Sheep production systems in Ethiopia

According to Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) a production environment encompasses all input output relationships, over time, at a particular location. The major sheep production systems in Ethiopia include the traditional management system (the pastoral, agro pastoral and mixed crop livestock systems), the government ranches which is characterized by different production goals, priorities, management practices and constraints. The government ranch is accounted for very small proportion of sheep production system in Ethiopia. It was found in government sheep breeding and multiplication centres. This government ranches include: Horro Gudrun ranch, which was closed due to high sheep mortality, the Debre Berhan and Amed Guya ranch involved in the production and distribution of crossbred rams to the farmers. According to Gizaw S, in Ethiopia, Sheep are reared in extensive systems with no or minimal inputs; they are kept virtually as scavengers, particularly in mixed crop livestock systems who reported that sheep are produced in two main types of systems: Sheep barley systems in sub alpine areas and pastoral systems in arid lowlands. The majority of people in the highlands keep small flocks and practice mixed crop livestock agriculture, whereas those in the sub moist, cold, very high altitude areas and in arid lowlands keep large flocks in pastoral production system. When closely examined, three different production systems have been identified [14].

Highland sheep barely system

According to Markos Tibbo this system is found in the highlands above 3000 meter above sea level (m.a.s.l.) where sheep are the main source of cash income, meat, manure, skins and coarse wool for traditional cottage industry to produce blankets, rugs and mattresses by the local handcrafts. In extreme altitudes, precipitous terrain, recurrent droughts, cold temperature and windy climate limit crop production to sheep barley production. Sheep breeds of this system (for example, the Menz breed) are perceived to be the hardiest sheep types evolved under stressful environments. The main feed resource includes wasteland grazing, stubble and sometimes straw. Cropping intensity in this area is generally low. Sheep are the dominant livestock species and flock sizes range from 30 to several hundred head [15].

Mixed crop livestock system

Mixed crop livestock system, which covers areas in altitudes between 1500 and 3000 m in which sheep are kept in small flocks as a source of cash income, meat, manure, skins and in some areas for coarse wool. Mixed farming system is predominantly found in highland agro ecological zones where the climatic factors are conducive for farming of crops and raising livestock. In this system, livestock and crops are maintained as complementary enterprises. The sheep flocks are kept along with other livestock species (Cattle, goats and equines) in rather reduced communal grazing areas, unsuitable for cropping, or fallows, waterlogged land and steep slopes. According to Mengiste Taye the majority of people in the highlands keep small flocks and practice mixed crop livestock agriculture. These systems are based on cropping associated with livestock husbandry. In mixed farming system of the highland parts of Ethiopia sheep depend mostly on grazing fallow lands, waterlogged lands, natural pasture and crop residues usually with no extra supplement and receive minimum health care [16,17].

Pastoral and agro pastoral production system

According to Solomon Gizaw and Markos Tibbo pastoral production system is located in the arid and semi-arid lowland areas below 1500 m.a.s.l. in which livestock rearing is the mainstay of people. Livestock and livestock products provide subsistence, either directly as milk, milk products, meat and blood, or indirectly in the form of purchased cereals through sales of animals. Sheep are raised mainly for cash income (mainly through export) and meat, except in isolated areas where they also keep them for milk (for example, in Afar and parts of Tigray regions). Other important species in this system include cattle, goats and camels. Constant or partial herd mobility is a strategy to achieve feed and water. Similarly, Mesfin A, the pastoral systems are found mainly in the medium to low potential areas where crop production is difficult due to low and erratic rainfall. In this system though there are cultivations in some areas, livestock production forms an integral part of the socio cultural life for the vast and diverse human populations. As the report of pastoralists have no permanent home and hence move with their herds within their traditional territory [18].

Ranching system

Ranching system is a range based system of livestock production similar to the pastoral systems but with different production parameters, livestock functions and management. The system can be considered as a modern land use system. The main function of this system is to generate cash income. Both highland and arid/semi-arid ranching can be undertaken in Ethiopia.

Urban and peri urban production systems

Urban and peri urban production systems involve the production of sheep and goats within and at the periphery of cities. In this system the feed resource of livestock are usually household wastes, market area wastes, mill leftovers, by products and roadside grazing. Currently, small scale sheep and goat fattening is emerging as an economic activity in many growing cities.

Meat production in Ethiopia

According to FAOSTAT data base total meat produced in 2012 reached 659,305 tonnes, indicating a compounded annual growth rate of 2.3% between 2000 and 2012. Despite the fact that Ethiopia has the tenth largest livestock population in the world, the production of meat is still low and contributed only about 0.2% of the world total meat production, of which most is sheep and goat meat. This ranked Ethiopia the 55^th largest meat producing country in the world [19].

Over view of sheep and goat production system in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, various sheep production system categories are practiced, namely highland sheep barley system, mixed crop livestock system, pastoral and agro pastoral production system, ranching, and Urban and Peri Urban (UPU) sheep production system. The mixed crop livestock production system is based on limited communal and/or private grazing areas and the use of crop residue and stubble. The pastoral production system is based on extensive communal grazing whereas agro pastoralists are characterized by a combination of both pastoral and mixed crop livestock production [20]. While contributing significantly to meat production in Ethiopia, present production levels of sheep from such subsistent type of production systems is far below their potential. As a result, meat production is estimated at about 3.5 kg per sheep per year in the population and 10 kg per sheep slaughtered. Both values are very low when compared with those in neighboring countries that have small ruminant population’s 50–75% less than Ethiopia [21]. Likewise, the average carcass weight of Ethiopian sheep and goats is 10 kg which is the second lowest in sub Saharan Africa and also according to the report of goat production system in Ethiopia similar with sheep production system, is classified in mixed crop livestock system, pastoral and agro pastoral system urban and peri urban production system [22].

Contribution of small ruminant in Ethiopian economy

Small ruminants, found all over the world, are particularly concentrated in dry areas such as the sub tropics and seasonally dry tropical regions and make a significant contribution to the farm economy in mixed farming systems. In rural areas, which are too dry for cropping, where steppes and ranges are found, they are the main source of income for the population [23]. According to small ruminant contribute a quarter of the domestic meat consumption about half of the domestic wool requirements about 40% of fresh skins and 92% of the value of semi processed skin and hide export trade of the country [24]. They represent only 7% of the average total capital invested in livestock in the mixed crop livestock production system, while they account on average for 40% of the cash income earned by farm households 19% of the total value of subsistence food derived from all livestock production and 25% of total domestic meat consumption. Sheep and goats production is an important activity for smallholders, particularly for resource poor farmers in many parts of Ethiopia.

They are widely reared in a crop livestock farming systems and are distributed across different agro ecological zones of the country. They provide their owners with a vast range of products and services such as immediate cash income, meat, milk, skin, manure, risk spreading or management and social functions [25]. According to CSA, the main sheep and goat producing regions are Oromia (34.2% sheep and 27% goats), Amhara (33% sheep and 20% goats), SNNPRS (16% sheep and 17.5% goats) and Tigray (6.2% sheep and 15% goats). Small ruminants are mainly kept for income generation in many parts of Ethiopia to obtain cash income for household expenses, such as buying grains for household consumption, buying agricultural inputs such as fertilizer and seed and paying the medical and school expenses of household members they are also considered as investment and insurance to provide cash sources for purchase of farm inputs and house expenses.

Opportunities of ruminant meat export market from Ethiopia

The following points include opportunities meat export in Ethiopia: Large and small ruminant population with diverse genotypes, proximity to the Middle East market, high government support and interest at all levels, the coming in to being of Integrated, agro industrial park in Ethiopia at strategic locations to give one stop shopping service and to harmonize the products from the development with manufacturing, increasing number of export abattoirs in Ethiopia with big investment opportunities, the beginning of livestock registration and traceability systems at pilot level, the coming into being of Ethiopian Government is the interest to Ethiopian meat observed from Chinese government side and other countries, the presence of meat strategy and livestock master plan studies as guiding documents and the consensus reached among most African countries for intra African integration which will open the new avenue for trade relationship. The fast and sustainable economic growth which has got a spill over effect for the development of the manufacturing sector including the meat sub sector [26,27].

Opportunities of small ruminants and future prospects production in Ethiopia

Meat type sheep and goats consume 3% dry matter of their body weight [28]. Sheep and goats have higher survival rates under drought conditions compared to cattle. Moreover, because of their reproductive rates, flock numbers can be restored more rapidly. Sheep and goats are widely adapted to different climates and are found in all production systems. They also have lower feed requirements compared to cattle because of their small body size. This allows easy integration of small ruminants in to different farming systems. Small ruminants have short generation cycles and high reproductive rates, which lead to high production efficiency.

Challenge of small ruminant production in Ethiopia

In central rift valley, feed shortage was reported as one of the limiting factors in small ruminant productivity. In these areas where there are few rainy months with limited rainfall of erratic nature feed production for small ruminants is inadequate. According to feed shortage in both seasons (dry and wet) limits productivity of small ruminants and it was further worsened due to the absence of awareness and practice of feed conservation techniques. Moreover, forage development has been given less attention in most part of Ethiopia. According to diseases and parasites hamper small ruminant production by causing high mortalities especially among suckling animals. Diseases and parasites cause reduction of productive and reproductive performance of small ruminant production. According to water shortage and drought occurs due to relatively smaller rainfall and shorter rainy seasons in most of goat producing areas of the country. The major problems are the traditional management systems which are not market oriented, underdeveloped marketing systems poor infrastructure, poor financial facility and presence of cross border trades.

Community based breeding strategies

Community based breeding programs are most appropriate to implement in situations where livestock keepers already run their animals together, such as in communal grazing areas. These situations also have potential for other community level collective actions, such as joint procurement of services (veterinary, feeding and marketing). Programs that adopt community based strategies need to take into account farmer’s needs, views, decisions and active participation, from inception through to implementation and their success is based upon proper consideration of farmers breeding objectives, infrastructure, participation and ownership. Thus, a full understanding of local knowledge and practices of communities in animal management is of paramount importance for the design and implementation of such programs. Indigenous knowledge is closely related to survival and subsistence and provides a basis for local level decision making in natural resource management, food security, human and animal health, education, and various other community based activities.

Discussion

In the Ethiopia past failures in sheep genetic improvement have led to research on design of breeding programs. Small flock sizes, communal grazing/herding and uncontrolled mating did not favour the implementation of selective breeding/recurrent selection programs within village flocks. The approach adopted initially and implemented for Afar, BHS, Horro and Menz sheep was to generate improved rams in closed, nucleus flocks and to disseminate them to village flocks. The projects generally ended in failure, as most lacked long term vision and did not involve farmers in the planning. These failures led to the argument that such breeding schemes may not be appropriate for smallholder systems in developing sheep industries.

Conclusion

A new village or community based breeding scheme, which does not involve central nucleus flocks, has thus been adopted recently; to improve village flocks through recurrent selection. Also suggested a breeding scheme that integrates the merits of central nucleus based and village based breeding schemes. Since 2009, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and university of natural resource and life sciences in partnership with the national agricultural research systems in Ethiopia designed and implemented community based sheep breeding programs for four sheep breeds (Afar, Bonga, Horro and Menz) representing different production systems in Ethiopia. Appreciable genetic improvement has been achieved in the Menz program. Body weights at birth, 3 and 6 months of age increased by 0.42, 2.29 and 2.46 kg, respectively, in the third generation over those in the base generation.

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