Indigenous Goat Genetic Resources In Indonesia: Current Status and Future Improvement

Abstract

Goats have made an important contribution to household income and food security, especially in rural areas. Goats have provided meat and milk as high-quality protein sources, and are an integral part of rural livelihoods and an insurance against future emergencies. Nearly 19.22 million heads of goats are distributed throughout the Islands of Indonesia, most of which belong to indigenous breeds, which possess phenotypic and genetic diversities that are indispansable for their conservation and genetic improvement programs. Despite their considerable diversities, not all the indigenous goats are fully characterized and harnessed. Unfortunately, some are classified as at risk of extinction. Since small-scale farmers with traditional production systems dominate in the country, goat productivity is relatively low. But the indigenous goats are still important genetic resources due to their adaptive traits that are relevant to climate change and low maintenance. This review gives an overview of the current knowledge, production system, and future improvement of the indigenous goat genetic resources in Indonesia.