Characterization of Indigenous Goat Breeding Practices and Production System in West Gojjam Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

The study was carried out in Bahirdar Zuria, Yilmana Densa and Gonji Kolela districts of Western Gojjam zone of Amhara National Regional State. The objectives of the study were to characterize production system and environment and to identify trait preference, breeding practices and objectives in the study area. A total of 270 households were selected purposively for characterization of the production practices. Data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and field observations. The result of the study showed that the major farming activities in the study area were mixed crop and livestock farming. Mating practice was natural mating or uncontrolled mating within the household’s flock and between neighboring flocks. In Bahirdar Zuria district respondents were keeping goats primarily for wealth status, whereas the primary reason for goat owners in Yilmana Densa and Gonji Kolela districts were for meat consumption. In study area appearance, color, character and age were the main criteria’s for selection of breeding bucks, whereas, twining ability, appearance, age at first sexual maturity and color were for does. When goat flock of a household were not mixed, inbreeding depression for goat in Bahirdar Zuria, Yilmana Densa and Gonji Kolela districts were 0.30, 0.19 and 0.22, respectively. Mixed crop and livestock rearing were the major farming activities in the study area and the goat producers were practicing uncontrolled mating. Further research is recommended to know more about traditional animal breeding practices. Keywords: Appearance, breeding, characterization, inbreeding, matin