Global breeding programs

Community-based breeding and SmaRT pack enhances environmental health and productivity in smallholder sheep flocks: the case of Ethiopia

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Abstract

This study aimed to retrospectively quantify the productivity gains and greenhouse gas emission-intensity reductions achieved through Community-Based Breeding Programs with integrated innovations (SmaRT Pack) in Ethiopian sheep breeds. The analysis compared pre-intervention (baseline) production scenarios (2011 for Menz and Bonga; 2013 for Doyogena) with improved scenarios representing CBBP and SmaRT Pack implementation in 2023, where genetic improvement was combined with enhanced feeding, animal health, reproductive management, and market linkages. Productivity and GHG emissions were estimated using the IPCC Tier 2-based CLEANED tool. Standard flocks of 500 ewes per CBBP and associated production units were modeled and subsequently extrapolated to existing CBBPs and full breed potential. Under improved scenarios, carcass production increased by 71.0% in Menz, 70.2% in Bonga, and 53.6% in Doyogena, corresponding to an average increase of about 68% in meat yield. While absolute GHG emissions increased by about 19% due to increased output, emission intensity declined by an average of 28% across breeds. Emission intensity decreased from 38.0 to 28.9 kg COâ‚‚-eq/kg meat in Menz, from 30.9 to 20.2 in Bonga, and from 22.6 to 17.3 in Doyogena. Under the improved scenario, annual animal sales across the three breeds estimated to be about 2.01 million head, producing 27,413 t of carcass with a total emission of 621,000 t COâ‚‚-eq. These findings demonstrate that CBBP and SmaRT Pack delivers substantial productivity gains while reducing GHG emission intensity, offering a scalable, climate-smart pathway for improving the sustainability and profitability of small ruminant value chains. The documented genetic variation in emission-related traits further supports the integration of environmental metrics into breeding objectives for sustained climate-smart progress.

Keywords: 2026

How to Cite:

Getachew, T., Rischkowsky, B., Rekik, , Belay, B., Mwacharo, J., Abate, , Ergecho, , Besufekad, , Gemiyo, & Haile, A., (2026) “Community-based breeding and SmaRT pack enhances environmental health and productivity in smallholder sheep flocks: the case of Ethiopia”, World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Digital Archive 2026(1): 2287482. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/wcgalp.24296

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