Origin, Domestication, Current Status, Trend, Conservation and Management of Sheep Genetic Resource in Africa with Specific Reference to Ethiopia

Abstract

Sheep were domesticated as dual purpose animals to produce wool and meat, early people would have valued sheep milk as well. The aim of this review was to describe the current status, trend, conservation and management of sheep genetic resource in Ethiopia. Sheep (Ovis aries) are believed to have been among the first animals to be domesticated (since 11000BC), preceded by the dog and goat. Ethiopia is believed to be one of the major gateways for domestic sheep migration from Asia to Africa and has a diverse indigenous sheep population. Sheep are important sources of cash income and living banks to their owners. Sheep also play an important role in providing export commodities such as live animals and skins/leather to earn foreign currency. However, Sheep resources of Ethiopia are not well studied and there is practically no rational genetic conservation based improvement plan in the country.

Keywords: conservation, genetic, ovis, sheep.

DOI: 10.7176/ALST/71-02