Goat production as a mitigation strategy to climate change vulnerability in semi-arid tropics

Authors

  • Never Assan Zimbabwe Open University, Department of Agriculture Management, Faculty of Science, Bulawayo Region, Box 3550, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Keywords:

Goat production, Adaptation, Mitigation, Climate change, Semi-arid tropics

Abstract

Due to climatic variability in semi arid tropics, livestock production faces many challenges that threaten its viability. This is a review that looks at the potential of goat production as one of the many mitigating strategies in confronting climate change in semi arid tropics. The discussion focuses on specific goat ethological, morphological and physiological characteristics that have environmental adaptation implications. Physiological, behavioral and morphological responses let goats effectively thrive in unfavorable climate change induced environmental conditions. These responses are important in matching goats to specific environmental conditions and ensuring a sustainable level of production. Severe feed shortages resulting from changes in rainfall pattern, and water scarcity are some of the major climate change induced environmental stressors, which have caused livestock capacity decline. Their negative influence on livestock production calls for use of adapted livestock species to cope with unavoidable climate change effects. Goats have shown to be a remarkable animal species that possess distinctive qualities enabling it to excel efficiently in harsh tropical environments. As climate change takes a centre stage in defining livestock productivity in semi arid tropics, there is greater need to stress what type of livestock species to keep. Therefore, the selection of adapted livestock species will be critical in sustaining productivity under this increasingly challenging environment. Identification of livestock species adaptable to semi arid tropics, is recommended for achieving sustainable levels of production. This is on the understanding that selection of adapted livestock species counteracts the negative effects of climate change in such a way that productivity can be maintained and improved. While other species tend to be highly vulnerable, goats have evolved a unique and fascinating array of physiological, morphological and reproductive characteristics, which have contributed to their survival and proliferation in unique unfavorable tropical environmental niches. This points to the fact that promotion of goat production may be a viable mitigation strategy in the context of climate change. It is thus suggested that as climatic variability worsens, goats will assume a critical role in livestock production due to their adaptive features, such as feeding behavior, disease and heat tolerance. These behavioral, morphological and physiological characteristics enable goats to effectively cope with the stressful nature of the vast semi arid tropics. The discussion concludes with the understanding that promotion of goats becomes a key component of semi arid tropics livestock production systems. Due to goats’ numerical strength and greater adaptability to varying harsh tropical environmental conditions, they offer a compelling solution to livestock production capacity utilization to minimize destabilizing factors associated with the uncertainties of climate change.

References

Acharya, R.M., Gupta, U.D., Sehgal, J.P., Singh, M., 1995. Coat characteristics of goats in relation to heat tolerance

in the hot tropics. Small Rum. Res., 18, 245-248.

Adedeji, T.A., 2012. Effect of some quantitative traits and non genetic factors on heat tolerance attributes of

extensively reared West African Dwarf (WAD) goats. IJAAAR 1, 68-81.

Adogla-Bessa, T., Aganga, A.A. 2000. Response of Tswana goats to various lengths of water deprivation. South Afr.

J. Anim. Sci., 30, 87-91.

Aganga, A.A., 1992. Water deprivation by sheep and goats in Northern Nigeria. World Animal Review, 73,9-14.

Ahmed, M.M., El Kheir, I.M., 2004.Thermoregulation and water balance as affected by water and food restrictions

in Sudane desert goats fed high quality and poor quality diets. Trop. Anim. Health Product., 36, 191-2014.

Albright, J.L., Alliston, C.W., 1972. Effects of varying the environment upon performance of dairy cattle. J. Anim.

Sci., 32,566- 577.

Assan, N., 2013. Indigenous goat as a potential genetic resource in Zimbabwe, A review. Sci. J. Rev., 2(3),89-102.

Aziz, M.A., 2010. Present status of the world goat population and their productivity. Lohmann Informat., 45, 42.

Banerji, R., 1984. Effect of solar radiation on biochemical constituents of blood in goats of different colours. Livest.

Adviser., 9, 34-38.

Barhanu, B., Ntenga, L.A., Kifaro, G.C., 1994. Studies on some factors affecting reproductive performance and

mortality rate of Small East Africa goats and their crosses. SRNET Newsletter., 26, 8-14.

Blazquez, N.B., Long, S.E., Mayhew, T.M., Perry, G.C., Prescott, N.J., Wathes, C.M., 1994. Rate of discharge and

morphology of sweat glands in the perineal, lumbo-dorsal and scrotal skin of cattle. Res. Veter. Sci., 57,277-

Cain, J.W., Krausman, P., Rosenstock, A., Turner, J., 2005. Literature review and annotated bibliography, Water

requirements of desert ungulates. South Biolog. Sci. Centre, 55.

Campbell, Q.P., 1998. The Boer goat-outstanding producer of red meat from low quality grazing. In, Boer Goat

News. Boer Goat Breeders Assoc. South Africa. 45-52.

Demment, M.W., Van Soest, P.J., 1985. A nutritional explanation for body size patterns of ruminant and nonruminant herbivores. Am. Naturalist., 125,640-671.

Devendra, C., 1991. Goats, Challenges for increased productivity and improved livelihoods. Outlook Agr., 28, 215-

Devendra, C., 1990. Comparative aspects of digestive physiology and nutrition in goats and sheep. Rum. Nutrit.

Physiol. Asia. 45-60.

Drucker, A.G., Gomez, V., Anderson, S., 2001. The economic valuation of animal genetic resources, A review of

available methods. Ecolog. Econom., 36,1-18.

Els, T.F., 1995. Production analysis of a Boer goat flock in the Bush Savanna veld. MSc Thesis. Univ. Pretor., SA.

Epstein, H., 1965. Regionalization and stratification in livestock breeding with special reference to Mongolian

People’s Republic. Anim. Breed., 33,169-181.

Erasmus, J.A., 2000. Adaptation to various environments and resistance to disease of improved Boer goats. Small

Rum. Res., 36,179-187.

FAO., 1980. Production Year book.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Rome (1980).

FAO., 1989. Conservation guide. Arid zone forestry, A guide for field technicians. Food Agr. Organizat. Unit. Nat.,

Rome..

Giger-Reverdin, S., Gihad, E.A., 1985. Water metabolism and intake in goats. In, Goat nutrition; EAAP Publication

(Italy) , no. 46, ed Morand-Fehr, P./ FAO, Rome (Italy). Regional Office for Europe; International Centre for

Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies, Paris (France), (1991), 37-45.Hahn, G.L. (1985). Management

and housing of farm animals in hot environments. In. Stress physiol. Livest., ed Yousef, M.K, vol II, Ungulates

(Boca Raton, CRC Press, 1985), 151-174.

Hales, J.R.S., Brown, G.D., 1974. Net energetic and thermoregulatory efficiency during panting in the sheep. J.

Biochem. Physiol., 49,413-422.

Heady, H.F., 1983. Climate vegetation herbivore interactions in the tropics. In, Herbivore Nutrition in the Tropics

and Sub tropics. eds. Gilchrist FMC, Mackie RI. Sci. Press., 1983.

Hemmer, H., 1990. Domestication, The Decline of Environmental Appreciation. Cambridge University Press.

Cambr., 208.

Hetem, R., Sheila., 2010. Adapting to climate change, The effect of desertification on physiological of free living

ungulates. PhD Thesis. Wits Univ., SA.

Hofmann, R.R., 1989. Evolutionary steps of eco-physiological adaptation and diversification of ruminants, A

comparative view of their digestive system. Oecologia., 78,443-457.

Holechek, J.L., 1984. Comparative contribution of grasses, forbs and shrubs to the nutrition of range ungulates.

Rangelands., 6, 28.

Horst, P., 1984. Livestock breeding for productive adaptability to unfavorable environments. Paper presented at

the 2nd World Congress on Sheep and Beef Cattle Breeding. Republic of South Africa. Pretoria., April 16- 19,

Hounghton, J.T., Ding, Y., Griggs, D.J., Noguer, M., Linden, P.J., Dai, X., Maskell, K., Johnson, C.A., 2001. Climate

change, The scientific basis. Contribution of working group I to the third assessment report of the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambr. Univ. Press, New York, USA.

Katongole, C,B., Sabiiti, E.N., Bareeba, F.B., Ledin, I., 2009. Performance of growing indigenous goats fed diets

based on urban market crop wastes. Trop. Anim. Health Product., 41,329-336.

Katongole, J.B.D., Sebolai, B., Madimabe, M.J., 1996. Morphological characterization of the Tswana goat. Paper

presented at the 3rd Biennial Conference of the African Small Ruminant Research Network, UICC, Kampala,

Uganda., 5-9 December 5-9, 1994. 43-46.

King, J.M., 1983. Livestock water needs in pastoral Africa in relation to climate and forage. Research Report No. 7.

Institute Livestock Center Africa (ILCA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1983.

Langhans, W., Scharre, E., Meyer, A.H., 1991. Changes in feeding behavior and plasma vasopressin concentration

during water deprivation in goats. J. Veter. Med., 38,11-20.

Lechner-Doll, M., von Engelhardt, W., Abbas, H.M., Mousa, L., Luciano, L., Reale, E., 1995. Particularities in

forestomach anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of cameids compared to ruminants. In, Elevage et

alimentation du dromadaire-Camel production and nutrition. ed Tisser JL., vol 23 (Paris, Options

Mediterraneennes CIHEAM, 1995), 19-32.

Liu, T.H., 1989. Trials on the development of a hornless goat breed. Bailliere Tindall, London. UK.

Maloiy, G.M.O., Macfalane, W.V., Shkolnik, A., 1979. Mammalian herbivores.” In, Comparative physiology of

osmoregulation in animals ed Maloiy G.M.O., vol 11 Academic Press, London UK.

Maltz, E., Shkolnik, A., 1984. Milk composition and yield of black Bedouin goat during dehydration and

rehydration. J. Dairy Res., 51,23-27.

Mc Gregory, B., 2000. What do goats really what to eat! Goat Specialist. Victor. Inst. Anim. Sci. Agr. Victor.,

Attwood.

Mittal, J.P., 1989. Performance adaptability of Indian desert goat under water stress conditions. Asian-Aust. J.

Anim. Sci., 2,257-258.

Mwiturubani, D.A., 2010. Climate change and access to water resources in Lake Victoria basin. In, Climate change

and natural resources conflicts in Africa, ed. Mwiturubani DA and van Wyk JA of Inst. Secur. Stud.

Ngigi, S.N., 2009. Climate Change Adaptation Strategies, Water Resources Management Options for Smallholder

Farming Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. The MDG Centre for East and Southern Africa. Earth Inst. Columb.

Univ., New York.

Otoikhian, C.S.O., Orheruata, J.A., Imasuen, J.A., Akporhuarho, O.P., 2009. Physiological response of local (West

African Dwarf) and adapted Switzerland (White Bornu) goat breed to varied climatic conditions in SouthSouth Nigeria. Afr. J. Gener. Agr., 5,1-6.

Peters, K.J., 1987. Evaluation of goat populations in tropical and sub tropical environments. ILCA Bulletin, No 28,

September., 1987.

Provenza, F.D., 1997. Feeding behavior of herbivores in response to plant toxicants.” Handbook of plant and fungal

toxicants. 16, 231- 242.

Provenza, F.D., Phister, J.A., Cheney, C.D., 1992. Mechanisms of learning in diet selection with reference to

phytotoxicosis in herbivores. J. Range Manag., 45, 36-45.

Roosen, J., Fadlaoui, A., Bertaglia, M., 2005. Economic evaluation for conservation of farm animal genetic

resources. J. Anim. Breed. Genet., 122,217-228.

Rotter, R., Geijn, S.C., 1999. Climate change effects on plant growth, crop yield and livestock. Climatic Change. J.

Veter. Adv., 2,407-412.

Schoen, A., 1996. Studies on the water balance of the East African goat. East Afr. Agr. J., 34,256-262.

Scholtz, M.M., Maiwashe, A., Neser, F.W.C., Theunissen, A., Olivier, W.J., 2013. Livestock breeding for

sustainability to mitigate global warming with the emphasis on developing countries. South Afr. J. Anim. Sci.,

,269-281.

Shkolnik, A., Silanikove, N., 1981. Water economy, energy metabolism and productivity in desert ruminants.” In,

Morand-Fehr, P, Borbouse, A. and De Simiane, M. (Eds.), Nutrit. System. Goat Feed., ITOVIC-INRA, Tours,

France, 1,236-246.

Sibanda, S., Hatendi, P.R., Mulenga, P.R., Ndlovu, P, 1977. The effect of diet and frequency of watering on rumen

degradability and outflow rate of low quality veld hay and dry matter apparent digestibility in steers given

food at maintenance. Anim. Sci., 65,159- 164.

Silanikove, N., 1992. Effects of water scarcity and hot environment on appetite and digestion in ruminants. A

review. Livest. Product. Sci., 30,175- 194.

Smit, B., Me Nabb, D., Snuckers, J., 1996. Agriculture adaptation to climate variation. Climate Change., 33,7-29.

Van Thanh, D.T., 2006. Some animals and feed factors affecting feed intake, behavior and performance of small

ruminants. PhD Thesis, Swedish Univ. Agr. Sci., Sweden.

Viljoen, B., 1980. You’ve got to get a goat or two. Fmr’s Wkly, June 11, 1980, 57.

Yousef, M.K., 1985. Stress Physiology in Livestock, Basic Principles. CRC Press, Boca Raton.

Published

2014-11-29

How to Cite

Assan, N. . (2014). Goat production as a mitigation strategy to climate change vulnerability in semi-arid tropics. Scientific Journal of Animal Science, 3(11), 258-267. Retrieved from http://sjournals.com/index.php/sjas/article/view/812

Issue

Section

Review Article

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 > >>