Traditional sheep breeding practices under agroforestry system of Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia

Traditional sheep breeding practices in the Gedeo Cultural Landscape prioritize genotype and body conformation for ewe selection, while ram selection focuses on confirmation, genotype, and lamb growth rate. Nearly all farmers (97.2%) select breeding rams, with 58.9% replacing old or undesired rams from within their flocks. Castration is widely used to control unwanted breeding, particularly in Gedeb (58.3%) and Yirgachefe (55%) districts, often for fattening and temperament improvement. The study, conducted through structured questionnaires and focus group discussions with 180 smallholder farmers across three districts, highlights the importance of integrating these traditional practices into sustainable sheep breeding strategies.

Tezera, B. T., & Engidashet, D. H. (2022). Traditional sheep breeding practices under agroforestry system of Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. Plos One, 17(6), e0269263. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269263