Production Objectives and Trait Preferences of Farmers Keeping Abergelle Goats in Central Zone of Tigray Region, Ethiopia

The aim of this study was to identify production objectives and trait preference of smallholder farmers keeping Abergelle goats in Central zone of Tigray region, Ethiopia. A total of 100 households from midland and lowland areas were selected following a purposive sampling procedure. Individual interview, focus group discussions and reviewing secondary information were used to collect data on indigenous breeding practices and herd management. Data were managed in Excel and analyzed using SPSS statistical software. In the study area, goats were mainly kept for income generation, milk production and manure with an index value of 0.22, 0.20 and 0.19, respectively. Coat color, appearance and growth were the top ranked traits for selecting breeding bucks with an index value of 0.23, 0.20 and 0.17, respectively, while twinning, milk yield, appearance (body size), and coat color were for breeding does with an index value of 0.22, 0.20, 0.19 and 0.10, respectively. Goat keepers perceive their goat breed is well adapted to the production environment and survive well against feed shortage, drought and diseases and parasites prevalent compared to other exotic goat breeds (e.g. Boar goat) that has been introduced few years ago. Thus, the information obtained in this study can be used in designing appropriate breeding program for genetic improvement of Abergelle goats, understand farmers’ breeding objectives, breeding practices and trait preference for enhanced goat production in the study area.