Participatory investigation of goat farmers’ breeding practices, trait preference, and selection criteria in Burkina Faso

Authors: BADJIBASSA, AKOUNDA - Collaborator; OUEDRAOGO, DOMINIQUE - Joseph Ki-Zerbo University; BURGER, PAMELA - University Of Veterinary Medicine; Rosen, Benjamin - Ben; Van Tassell, Curtis - Curt; SOLKNER, JOHANN - University Of Natural Resources And Life Sciences, Vienna; SOUDRE, ALBERT - Collaborator

Submitted to: Tropical Animal Health and Production
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/7/2023
Publication Date: 1/8/2024
Citation: Badjibassa, A., Ouedraogo, D., Burger, P.A., Rosen, B.D., Van Tassell, C.P., Solkner, J., Soudre, A. 2024. Participatory investigation of goat farmers’ breeding practices, trait preference, and selection criteria in Burkina Faso. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 56:35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03869-w.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03869-w

Interpretive Summary: The community-based breeding program (CBBP) is a new approach for improving and sustaining animal genetic resources in low input farming systems. Successful use of CBBP requires understanding farming systems, selection goals, and traits that are important to farmers. The goal of this study was to identify the goals of goat farmers in rural areas of Burkina Faso. Following focus group discussions with farmers, a questionnaire was completed by 372 randomly selected goat farmers in two zones. A list of traits obtained during the group discussions was given to farmers, and they were asked to rank the ones they use to select breeding animals. Statistical tests were used to compare data between the two regions compared. The results showed that more farmers were female in both areas. Reasons for culling breeding males and females were different in the regions. The most common criterion for selection in the two zones was body size, coat color, and growth rate for the bucks and does, while fertility was selected differently for female goats. These findings provide valuable understanding for successfully developing CBBPs designed for each region.

Technical Abstract: The community-based breeding program (CBBP) is an innovative approach recommended for genetic improvement and sustainable use of animal genetic resources in extensive farming systems. Successful implementation of this approach requires an understanding of the characteristics of production systems, breeding objectives, and farmers’ trait preference. This study aimed to identify the selection criteria of goat farmers in rural areas of Burkina Faso and their potential implications in establishing CBBP. Following focus group discussions, a well-structured questionnaire was designed and administered to 372 randomly selected goat farmers in two different agro-ecological zones. A list of traits obtained during focus group discussions was provided to farmers individually, and they were asked to rank the ones they preferentially use to select breeding animals. Statistical tests were conducted to compare data between the two agro-ecological zones. The results showed that the average goat flock per household was higher (P < 0.05) in the Sudanian (15.68 ± 13.76), compared to the Sudano-Sahelian area (12.93 ± 13.3). Adult females were the dominant age-sex group in both areas. Reasons for culling, keeping breeding bucks, and castration practice were significantly different (P < 0.05) among agro-ecological zones. The most important common criterion for selection in the two zones was body size, coat color, and growth rate for the bucks and does, while fertility (0.06) parameters including twining ability (0.18), kidding frequency (0.11), and mothering ability (0.15) were furthermore considered for breeding does selection. These findings provide valuable insights for developing CBBPs tailored to goat production in the study areas.