This document summarizes information on improved breeding practices for small ruminants like sheep and goats in Namibia. It discusses how selection of superior animals through genetic testing and selective breeding can improve important traits like growth rate and fertility. While techniques like artificial insemination are used in some areas, traditional selective breeding is more common due to lower costs. The benefits of scaling up improved breeding include increased productivity, meat quality, and hardiness of goats and sheep, which would improve incomes and food security, especially for smallholder farmers in northern Namibia.

1. 2 0 1 7 - 0 4 - 2 5
TechnologyBrief
IMPROVEDBREEDINGOFSMALLRUMINANTS
Baitsi Podisi (CCARDESA; bpodisi@ccardesa.org)
Cindy Cox (IFPRI; c.cox@cgiar.org)
Ulrike Wood-Sichra (IFPRI; u.wood-sichra@cgiar.org)
Liangzhi You (IFPRI; l.you@cgiar.org)
Jawoo Koo (IFPRI; j.koo@cgiar.org)
The rearing of small ruminants (i.e. sheep
and goats) is an important agricultural
activity in Namibia in the westend and
southern parts of the country which are
drier compared to the north region (Joint
Presidential Committee, 2008). Namibia is a
surplus producer of mutton and lamb and
has been exporting live sheep and mutton
mainly to South Africa (Taljaard et al. 2009)
and goat production is more favoured in
the Northern communal areas of Namibia (van Wyk, 2011). Despite the under-explored
opportunity, the sheep and goat subsector is hampered by low productivity (Musaba et al., 2009,
Msangi, 2014). The most important traits contributing to economic production of livestock under
Namibia’s tough ranching conditions are: pre-weaning growth rate, post-weaning growth rate,
feed conversion ratio (efficiency of feed use), carcass composition and quality, reproductive
ability and a low mortality rate (Van Wyk, 2011). Higher production can be addressed by
increasing the lambing percentage, lowering the mortality rate and increasing the actual weight
produced by farming with the appropriate breeds and through good production practices (Van
Wyk, 2011).
The important traits of smallstock (fertility, meat conformation, breed characteristics) can be improved
through adopting improved breeding practices by selecting and keeping the best lambs/kids from the best
ewes and using animals of genetic quality as parents and disposing animals with undesirable performance
(Joint Presidential Committee, 2008). Besides the Dorper sheep breed and its crosses, there are indigenous
breeds of sheep and goats which have potential to contribute to local meat production with improved
management and selective breeding (Msangi, 2014).

2. 2 0 1 7 - 0 4 - 2 0
2
HOW ARE IMPROVED BREEDING PRACTICES USED?
Superior performance of small ruminant flocks or populations over time can arise from genetic improvement
through the use of genetically superior animals coupled with improved health management and feeding
conditions. This improvement therefore entails the use of a suite of breeding technologies, innovations and
management practices (TIMPs). The improvement is gradual and takes place over time to bring about
production efficiency but this requires: i) tailoring the interventions for a given production system based on
the relative importance of the different constraints in the system; (ii) definition of the selected breeding
objectives with the involvement of farmers. (iii) using accurate methods of identifying superior genotypes
and; (iv) having practical mechanisms of allowing the superior genetic material to be used to disseminate the
superior qualities within the national flocks (Kosgey, 2004).
WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS OF BREEDING TIMPs?
The main limitations of a wider application of selective breeding in small ruminants especially in communal
areas is the difficulties in keeping animal records required for objective genetic assessment of animals. The
control of the mating of animals is a challenge because animals easily mix in the grazing areas. The
implementation of breed improvements through employment of selection requires community cooperation
and technical support. The easier route is often to effect improvement through crossbreeding via the use of
suitable exotic sires. However, indiscriminate cross breeding can erode the well adapted genotypes from
unplanned crossbreeding where the use of indigenous breeds improved through selection could have been a
better alternative. The indigenous breeds have also not been well characterized to be harnessed in
meaningful strategic breeding programmes. Nonetheless, even the most crude selection processes can add
value to the genetic improvement of the national flocks.
WHO USES BREEDING TECHNOLOGIES, INNOVATION & MANAGEMENT PRACTICES?
Livestock breeders and geneticists use selection or cross breeding to produce genetically superior animals, to
meet defined needs. The Government Agencies typically work in collaboration with national breeder
associations to promote sustainability of small ruminant breeding programs. Genetically superior and hardy
breeds help farmers adapt to climate change from the rearing of breeds that can cope with the hot and dry
conditions while attaining superior meat yields compared to the unimproved genotypes. International and
government-involved efforts have invested in national breeding programs to improve the genetic quality of
the national flock.
Goats are predominantly located in the northern communal areas of Namibia where most of the livestock are
found. About 60% of goats in Namibia belong to indigenous breeds variously called North Western, North
Central, Caprivi or Kavango breeds (Msangi, 2014) and are owned mainly by smallholder farmers. Commercial
farmers who keep their animals in fenced ranches have a better means of controlling their breeding
interventions.
During the last 30 years, considerable progress has been made globally in sheep and goat embryo
technologies, especially in the fields of estrous synchronization, superovulation and in vitro embryo
production. However, the costs and inefficiencies of the system restricts its use to special situations. While
their applications are widespread in cattle, ARTs are almost restricted to estrous synchronization and artificial
insemination in small ruminants such as sheep and goats. Thereby making their likely use by small holder
farmers in Namibia very limited and not cost-effective.

3. 2 0 1 7 - 0 4 - 2 0
3
WHERE ARE BREEDING TIMPS USED?
The main limitations of a wider application of ARTs in small ruminants are the naturally occurring anestrous
period, the variability of response to super-ovulatory treatments, the fertilization failure and the need of
surgery for collection and transfer of gametes and embryos. Nonetheless, Artificial Insemination helps
prevent the spread of infectious or contagious diseases and rapidly increases gains in genetic development
and production. ARTs also enable breeding between animals in different geographic locations. Genetically
improved goats can help farmers adapt to climate change by availing improved livestock that have a higher
rate of productivity and are more resistant to drought compared to the unselected local breeds.
The genetic improvement of livestock offers advantages of increased adaptability and resilience to specific
environmental conditions, superior performance in terms of health and vigor, and better quality nutritious
food products (in short, more food per goat and per unit of land). The genetic improvement of goats is a
worthwhile investment using traditional livestock improvement approaches which require less investment
than the use of ARTs especially for communal farmers who are usually resources-constrained. Traditional
selective breeding interventions have a higher chance of success because of their simplicity and excellent
cost/benefit, especially where proven sires are used.
WHY ARE IMPROVED BREEDING APPROACHES USED?
Compared to Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer, (MOET), estrous synchronization and artificial
insemination are the most commonly used assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) used worldwide
because of their simplicity and excellent cost/benefit, especially when proven sires are used. Considerable
progress has been made in sheep and goat embryo technologies, especially in the fields of estrous
synchronization, superovulation and in vitro embryo production. However, the costs and inefficiencies of the
system might restrict its use to special situations. While their applications are widespread in cattle, ARTs are
almost restricted to estrous synchronization and artificial insemination in small ruminants such as sheep and
goats.
While the future of adoption of improved breeding practices by smallholder famers in Namibia may be
limited by access to infrastructure and extension support, goat improvement is a clear opportunity for
investment, since 1) smallholder famers own majority of goats and rely on local, indigenous breeds; 2) goats
are important for rural food security; 3) climate change is expected to increasingly become an important
abiotic stress to the current breeds in Namibia.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF SCALING-UP IMPROVED BREEDING PRACTICES IN NAMIBIA?
Climate change is expected to further exacerbate an already challenging environment where goats are raised
in Namibia. Goat genetic resources in Southern Africa are reputable for their hardiness, prolific breeding,
early attainment of maturity, and low ‘input’ requirements (Msangi, 2014). Furthermore, goat meat contains
less fat and cholesterol than most other types of meat with desirable fatty acids. In addition to provision of
tangible products, goats contribute towards the livelihoods of the poor through risk mitigation and
accumulation of wealth. Therefore, selective breeding and use of adapted breeds/ genotypes is attractive
because of its simplicity and excellent cost/benefit, especially when proven sires are used. This would enable
production of fertile, good-quality animals with the productivity and meat quality required by the markets
such as the export market for goat meat and live animals sold to South Africa (Msangi, 2014). Goats would be
a good vehicle for generating cash returns to meet food security needs and improve welfare of farming
families especially in the northern communal areas where they are found in larger numbers (Msangi, 2014).

4. 2 0 1 7 - 0 4 - 2 0
4
Using IFPRI’s Dynamic Research Evaluation for Management (DREAM) model, CCARDESA assessed the
potential economic benefit of scaling-up adoption of improved breeding interventions in the Northern Region
of Namibia. Parameterized using the small ruminant production statistics data in Namibia and field-observed
breeding performance data, the model quantified the potential economy-wide profitability of adoption
improved breeding in the regions until 2025. Nine scenarios of potential adoption and performance levels
were developed, based on the stakeholder consultations and desktop studies (Figure 2). In the preliminary
analysis, the model estimated that the overall Net Present Value (NPV) of scaling-up improved breeding
practices in the northern region will range from 9 million USD (low adoption, low performance) to 106 million
USD (high adoption, high performance).
Figure 1 Ex-ante economic benefit of scaling-up adoption of breeding TIMPs in Caprivi Region, Namibia, estimated in Net Present
Value (000USD). K-Shift (%): 25 (low), 50 (medium), 100 (high). Adoption (%): 40 (low), 60 (medium), 80 (high).
LEARN MORE ABOUT SMALL RUMINANT BREEDING TIMPs
 Joint Presidential Committee (JPC). 2008. Small Stock Management.
 Kosgey, I. S. 2004 .Breeding objectives and breeding strategies for small ruminants in the tropics.
Ph.D. Thesis, Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Wageningen University, With
 References - With summary in English and Dutch. ISBN: 90-5808-990-8.
 Msangi J. P. 2014. Food security among smallscale agricultural producers in Southern Africa. Weler
Consulting Services. Windhoek, Namibia. (link)
 Musaba, E.C.; Nanyome, L.; Petrus, P. 2009. Analysis and constraints of goats' production in
northern Namibia - A case study in Onesi and Ruacana constituency.
https://inis.iaea.org/search/search.aspx?orig_q=RN:41033566.
 Rumosa Gwaze F, Chimonyo M, Dzama K (2009) Communal goat production in Southern Africa: a
review. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 41, 1157–1168.
 Taljaard P., Alemu Z., A. Jooste and H. Jordaan. 2009. The impact of the Namibian Small Stock
Marketing Scheme on South Africa. National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC).
 Van Wyk N. D. 2011. A quantitative analysis of supply response in the Namibian mutton industry.
Downloads/vanwyk_quantitative_2011-1.pdf
 Amiridis GS, Cseh S (2012) Assisted reproductive technologies in the reproductive management of
small ruminants. Animal Reproduction Science, 130, 152–161.