The Opinions of the Sheep Breeders about the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Program under Farmer Condition in Niğde Province

With this study, for guiding the policies on the protection of native animal genetic resources, the opinions of the sheep breeders about the national sheep and goat breeding program under farmer condition were evaluated within the scope of the purposes and needs of the breeders in Niğde province. The primary data was collected from 108 farms in Nigde Province Center and Bor districts, including 54 farms determined by the stratified sampling method from participated farms in the sheep breeding program and including 54 farms determined by the total population sampling method from not-participated farms in the sheep breeding program. As a result of the study, breeders stated that the main reasons for participating in the project were the ensuring both productivity increase by reducing the number of lamb deaths, and income increase by receiving the support from the project. Breeders stated that the project meets their expectations in a positive way. Approximately two-thirds of the farms not involved in the project were interested in the project, but the farms in this group were not able to participate in the project because they could not meet the project requirements mainly because they made animal production in small family farms by traditional methods. In addition, the study indicated that agricultural support programs to encourage participation in the breeding program were important for breeders. In this context, the support model for reducing costs was selected by breeders as the best criterion in a policy to be implemented for the protection of native animal genetic resources. It is recommended to expand the use of breeding material obtained from the project throughout the country. Besides it is recommended to expand programs in matters related to regular record keeping and animal care, feeding, herd management and health for small family farms.