This study was conducted in two zones and one special district in Western part Ethiopia to assess the
production system, economic importance of goats, identify the major constraints and to suggest
appropriate interventions of goat production in the region. Seven districts representing permanent
farming system (PFS) and shifting farming system (SFS) were selected for the present study. Households
(HHs) rearing goats and who are accessible were purposely selected (102 HHs from each farming system
(FS)). Data was collected using exploratory study, cross-sectional survey, focus group discussions,
structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and review of secondary sources. Data was analyzed
using JMP-5 and SPSS software and reported using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed
that goat keepers in PFS were better educated than in SFS. There was no significant variation in family
size and land size among HHs in the FSs. In both FSs, goats were primarily kept for income and home
consumption. The major feed resources included indigenous browses, open grasslands, hillsides, swampy
areas and aftermaths. Thatched houses with slatted floors were commonly used goat shelters in the FSs.
Goats on average produce 0.5lts of milk per day during early lactation. In SFS goats attain weaning age
later than goats reared in PFS, but relatively longer kidding interval was reported in PFS. Peste des
petits Ruminants, Contagious Caprine Pluero Pneumonia, Foot and Mouth Disease, internal and external
parasites and abortion were the major health problems in both FSs and shortage of grazing land in PFS
in particular. It was generally observed that, both the production and reproductive performances of
goats in the study areas were low which in turn affect their contribution to household wellbeing.
Therefore, interventions aiming at improving goat husbandry practices should be in place to exploit their
potential contribution to goat raisers.