Native ruminants improve productivity

Indigenous sheep and goats Mozambique and Rwanda which are adapted to the stresses of the African environment, could help increase the reproductive performance of small ruminants in semi-arid regions throughout Africa. Two breed characterisation studies, one done at API (Animal Production Institute) in Mozambique, and one at ISAR (Institut des sciences agronomiques du Rwanda) have been collecting data on native sheep and goats for the past several years, and have noted their remarkable litter sizes. Mozambican goats produced approximately 1.57 kids per litter, and Rwandan goats 1.58, against the African average of 1.-2 to 1.4. Sheep produced 1.43 and 1.41 lambs in Rwanda and Mozambique respectively, against the continents averages of 1.05 to 1.15. Thus these African landraces could well have a beneficial effect in breeding programmes soon. Dr Trevor Wilson - ILCA (International Livestock Centre for Africa) PO Box 5689 Addis Ababa - ETHIOPIAIndigenous sheep and goats Mozambique and Rwanda which are adapted to the stresses of the African environment, could help increase the reproductive performance of small ruminants in semi-arid regions throughout Africa. Two breed characterisation..