Experiences from the Implementation of Community-Based Goat Breeding Programs in Malawi and Uganda: A Potential Approach for Conservation and Improvement of Indigenous Small Ruminants in Smallholder Farms

Maintaining diversity of small ruminant genetic resources is instrumental for sustainable agricultural production. Community-based livestock breeding programs (CBBPs) have emerged as a potential approach to implement in smallholder farms. This study assesses the viability CBBPs conservation and improvement indigenous ruminants, using case studies goat Malawi Uganda. Data were collected focus group discussions, personal interviews, direct observations. The program promotes empowers smallholders access feed through protection existing communal pasturelands, capacity building pasture production, crop residues by-products. Implementation CBBP enhances contributions improved animal growth performance, kids’ survival, twinning rates leading increased offtake better prices. existence permanently established supporting organizations other stakeholders provides institutional support establishment CBBPs. However, functional community-based institutions (producer cooperatives) investments institutional/policy reforms safeguard fair trading, common by keepers, adoption model into national development are some key milestones that can guarantee sustainability.