期刊名称：Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development
印刷版ISSN：2222-2855
电子版ISSN：2222-2855
出版年度：2019
卷号：10
期号：18
页码：46-52
DOI：10.7176/JESD/10-18-06
出版社：The International Institute for Science, Technology and Education (IISTE)
摘要：East African Zebu (EAZ) cattle play a very important role in the livelihoods of the Arid and the Semi-arid communities. Despite the breed being the most populous, its contribution to the dairy industry is very low. To ensure success of a breeding program for more milk production, there is need to understand how the indigenous farmers select their breeding cows and bulls for more milk production. A study was therefore conducted in Kitui County to determine the farmers’ selection criteria for breeding bulls and cows for more milk production. To determine how farmers, select an animal for breeding, five selection criteria traits for bulls and eight selection criteria for cows were ranked using Friedman non-parametric analysis of variance test and Wilcoxon Test. Multivariate Probit model was used to determine the influence of socio economic factors on bulls and cow selection criteria for EAZ breeding. The mean ranks indicated that the bull’s body frame (5.94), udder shape (6.04), teat size and placement (5.8) for cows were regarded as the most important selection criteria.The Multivariate Probit regression results showed that male farmers had a higher preference for bulls’ body frame than female farmers. The study concluded that selection criteria in breeding bulls and cows are significantly influenced by socio-economic and demographic factors. Key recommendation from the study is to consider farmers’ trait selection criteria in planning and design of a breeding program.
关键词：selection criteria; breeding program; East African Zebu
