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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

S. Gizaw ,
H. Komen ,
O. Hanotte  and
J.A.M. Van Arendonk
S. Gizaw
Affiliation:
Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 112, Debre Birhan, Ethiopia Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
H. Komen
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
O. Hanotte
Affiliation:
International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya
J.A.M. Van Arendonk
Affiliation:
Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Summary

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.

Résumé

L'Ethiopie possède différentes populations ovines, 23,6 millions, selon les différentes écologies, systèmes de production et communautés. En 2005 a été mis en place un programme de caractérisation phénotipique et génétique des populations ovines en Ethiopie dans le but de créer un cadre national pour la gestion des ressources génétiques ovines. Dans cet article nous décrivons les types d'ovins indigènes du point de vue des caractéristiques physiques, de distribution eco-régionale, et affinités entre communautés. Nous présentons également les relations des types d'ovins avec les systèmes de production agricole et une enquête menée parmi les éleveurs/pastoralistes. Nous avons identifié 14 types traditionnels d'ovins qui sont décrits du point de vue physique.

Les différents types se divisent en 4 groupes: sous-alpine à queue grasse courte; haute montagne à longue queue grasse; plaine gras postérieur; et plaine queue fine, et selon leur distribution écologique, types de queues (queue grasse versus queue fine), forme de la queue, et type de fibre. Il existe une grande diversité morphologique et écologique entre la plupart des groupes principaux ovins ainsi qu'entre les types d'ovins même. Il existe aussi une forte relation entre les types d'ovins, les groupes ethniques et les systèmes de production. L'évaluation des différences génétiques des types d'ovins traditionnels est importante pour le développement des programmes de conservation basés sur l'amélioration. L'évaluation génétique moléculaire de la structure de la population sera l'activité de suivi.

Resumen

Etiopía posee diversas poblaciones de ovinos, 23,6 millones, que varían según la ecología, los sistemas de producción y las comunidades. En el 2005 se inició un programa de caracterización fenotípica y genética des las poblaciones ovinas en Etiopía con el fin de crear un marco nacional para la gestión de los recursos genéticos ovinos. En este artículo se describen los tipo de razas indígenas desde el punto de vista de las características físicas, de la distribución eco-regional, y de las afinidades entre comunidades. Presentamos también las relaciones de los tipos de ovinos con los sistemas de producción agrícola y una encuesta realizada entre los ganaderos y pastores.

Se han identificado 14 tipos tradicionales de ovinos que se describen desde el punto de vista físico. Los diferentes tipos se dividen en 4 grupos: sub-alpinos con cola gorda corta; alta montaña con cola gorda larga; llanura con cuarto posterior graso; y llanura con cola delgada, y según su distribución ecológica, tipos de cola (cola grasa versus cola delgada), forma de la cola y tipos de fibra. Existe una gran diversidad morfológica y ecológica entre la mayor parte de los grupos principales de ovinos así como entre los tipos de ovinos mismos. También hay une relación importante entre los tipos de ovinos, los grupos étnicos y los sistemas de producción. La evaluación de las diferencias genéticas de los tipos de ovinos tradicionales es importante para el desarrollo de los programas de conservación basados en la mejora. La evaluación genética molecular de la estructura de la población será una de las actividades de seguimiento‥

Keywords

EthiopiaSheep resourcesCharacterizationPhysical characteristics.
Type
Research Articles
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 43 , April 2008 , pp. 25 - 39
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2008

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