Dhr. S.G. (Solomon) Gebremichael: “Sheep Resources of Ethiopia: Genetic Diversity and Breeding Strategy”

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11 Jun 2008 11:00
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Organisation: Wageningen University
Promotor: prof.dr.ir. J.A.M. van Arendonk (Animal Breeding and Genetics)
Co Promotor: Dr. O. Hanotte (ILRI, Wageningen), Dr.ir. H. Komen

 Twenty percent of the world domestic animal breeds are classified as being “at risk” of extinction. Seventy percent of the mammalian breeds, for which no risk status data are available, are found in the developing world. This is a serious constraint to effective prioritization and planning of sustainable breed conservation measures. The first part of this thesis presents an improved method for characterization of sheep resources, and the second part describes the development of sustainable conservation-based breeding strategies for sheep breeds under smallholder traditional systems, taking Ethiopia as a case study.

Analysis of microsatellite and morphological variation showed that current genetic variation in Ethiopian sheep is strongly associated with historical patterns of sheep migration from Asia into Africa, and geographical distances between populations. Using a combination of microsatellite analysis and morphological divergence, we propose a classification of Ethiopian sheep into six breed groups and nine breeds. We prioritized Ethiopian sheep breeds for conservation purposes applying a maximum-utility-strategy. This approach balances the trade-offs between conserving breeds as insurance against future uncertainties and for current sustainable utilization.

Selective breeding within indigenous livestock breeds is an option for conserving livestock breeds. Our results indicate that selective breeding can lead to significant genetic improvement under low-input systems and marginal environments. It is concluded that the most rational and sustainable way to conserve livestock genetic resources is to improve their competitiveness through sustainable breed improvement programs (i.e. conservation through use). To this end, community- or village-based selective breeding schemes with full participation of farmers appear to be the best option to start with.

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