Fat-tailed sheep in Indonesia; an essential resource for smallholders

Abstract

This paper discusses the historical development of fat-tailed sheep in Indonesia, the dynamics of production systems, production and reproduction performances under farmers’ conditions, and roles of sheep in livelihoods. In the eighteenth and nineteenth century, fat-tailed sheep from southwest Asia and Africander sheep from South Africa were introduced. Crossing of fat-tailed sheep with the local thin-tailed sheep produced the Javanese fat-tailed sheep. Main motives for the gradual change-over to fat-tailed sheep have been their potential larger body size and the preference of consumers for their meat. Management systems are changing in response to the intensification of land use. The reproductive performances of fat-tailed sheep are good. Households keep four to six animals, housed close to the family quarters. This results in very high levels of faecal bacteria contamination of drinking water sources. Sheep provide a small income, manure, security and help to accumulate capital. Sheep also play a key role in religious festivities. Farmers hardly profit from the increased demand for the feast of sacrifice; animals are sold mainly when the owners have urgent cash needs. Systematic sheep fattening can contribute to higher economic results, if sufficient family labour and crop residues are available.

The impact of religious festival on roadside livestock traders in urban and peri-urban areas of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

“…Indonesia is a country where small ruminants play an essential role in the livelihoods of rural people and religious festivals [7,24], especially sheep [25,26]. Sheep are widely used by Muslims for sacrificial rituals on Eid al-Adha festival, aqiqah , and salvation events [19,27].…”

On yield gaps and better management practices in Indonesian smallholder oil palm plantations

“…The introduction of livestock in the plantation increases the productivity per unit of land (Gabdo and Ismail, 2013) and has benefits for weed control and manure production (Devendra and Thomas, 2002;Figure 7.5). In Indonesia, there is a large demand for cattle (Agus and Mastuti Widi, 2018) and a more modest demand for sheep (Udo and Budisatria, 2011) and goats (Putra and Agunga, 2014). I think there is great potential for further integration of livestock in oil palm production systems.…”

Usaha Ternak Domba sebagai Jalur Keluar dari Kemiskinan Buruh Tani di Perdesaan

“…(2017), menginformasikan bahwa usaha ernak domba berkontribusi besar terhadap pendapatan total rumah tangga. Fleksibilitas domba sebagai sebagai aset mudah cair memungkinkan ternak dijual sesuai dengan kejadian membutuhkan uang kontan (Udo & Budisatria, 2011;Ugwu, 2014). Pada sistem pertanian tradisional, kepemilikan ternak ruminansia kecil merupakan potensi yang sangat rasional sebagai sumber penerimaan ekonomi dan simbol status (Ugwu, 2007).…”