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

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 understand the breeding objectives and 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 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 were body size, coat color, and growth rate for the bucks and does, while fertility (0.06) parameters including twining ability (0.18) and 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.