FARMERS PERCEPTION ON THE UTILIZATION OF MILK PRODUCTS AND STRESS TOLERANCE CAPABILITIES OF GOATS IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN AMHARA, ETHIOPIA
Abstract

Author(s): Kefyalew Alemayehu, Damitie Kebede, Alemash Melese, Sileshi Andualem

The composition of goats’ milk has got better digestibility, alkalinity, buffering capacity and certain therapeutic values in medicine and human nutrition as compared to cow or human milk. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to quantify the current perception of smallholder farmers on the utilization of dairy goat milk and its products, and capacity of stress tolerance capabilities. The study was conducted in three districts of Western Amhara. The data was collected through questionnaires, field observation, focus group discussion and individual interviews with the selected farmers. The results of this study revealed that major causes for under utilization of goat dairy products include cultural taboos (33.8%), bad smell of goat milk (13.3%), lower milk production potential of goats (24%), and lack of awareness (28.9%). However, most farmers explained that they prefer cow milk over goat milk for its nutritional and medicinal values.Majority (85.9%) of farmers reported to use goat milk and its products as a part of diet for the future. The farmers also noted that goats have the stress tolerance and climate change adaptability. From the overall reach clearly seen that specialized dairy goat production must be intensified so as to increase milk and its products and adapting the existing climate change and related factors Key words: Adaptation, dairy goat, Farmer perception, stress tolerance