The study was conducted to identify agro-pastoralist traits preferences, constraints and perceptions of Boer woyto-guji crossbreed kids born with buck mobilization project at Hammer District, South Omo zone. A total of fifteen projects benefited participants through buck mobilization and experience in goat rearing were involved of which 86.7% and 13.3% were male and female participants, respectively. Information on traits preferred, goat husbandry management, and breeding practices perceived by agro-pastoral communities was collected using a questionnaire and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. In two phases the fifteen participants contributed 92 dry local females with an average of 6.13 (ranging from 4 to 12). From the contributed 68 (74%) goats served and only 55(60%) were tested positive for pregnancy due to different reasons. The agro-pastoralist preferences of the crossbreed kids were assessed and their responses were collected by interviewing. About 66.7%, 86.7%, and 93.3% of them asserted that cross kids were below their local goats on disease resistance, feed shortage, and water shortage tolerance, respectively. Results revealed that quantitative yield traits, phenotypic appearance, and temperament of the crossbreeds were accepted (100%) with a very good preference rate. The participants were asked to mention their preference for crossbreed with their drawbacks and cited fast growth, color, ear and horn type, good conformation or body size of the kids were good traits while docile behavior which can predispose to predators, high feed consumption, low resistance of disease, water and feed shortage as weak traits. From the questionnaire, the pastorals replied that the crossbreed kids live with other local kids together (100%) in the barn. The most important challenges mentioned and perceived by the pastorals in the buck mobilization were improper selection of breeding doe which led to abortion or stillbirth of doe, dystocia, death of crossbreed kids, eaten by predators in pastures, short duration of the buck with doe’s and false mating of doe. Lack of training and awareness creation, diseases, and poor extension linkage are also cited as constraints. It is concluded that, to overcome the identified constraints it needs appropriate strategies on various interventions such as provision of theoretical and practical ongoing training, utilization of buck mobilization program through the formation of cooperation and use of production packages for the implementation and sustainable utilization of improved breeds.
Agro-pastoralists, trait preferences, buck mobilization, constraints, crossbreed goats
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