The Loss of Interest in Keeping Kambing Gembrong An Endangered Species of Goat- By Farmers in Karangasem Region, Bali, Indonesia

A particular hairy goat known locally as kambing gembrong is a source of local genetic material which exists only in Bali, Indonesia. Unfortunately, their population is nowadays critical and close to extinction and, thus, attempt should be made to conserve this species of goat. The present research work reported here was aimed to determine factors that may be related to the loss of interest of farmers in keeping kambing gembrong that, in turn, resulted in a decrease in its population. Thus, a survey was conducted by distributing proper questionnaires to goat keepers in six villages in Karangasem region, namely Desa Tumbu, Bunutin, Abang, Culik, Bugbug, and Sanghyang Ambu. A purposive sampling was made; the respondents were 7 members of “Wisnu Segara” farmer group who currently are still keeping the goat and 6 farmers who used to have the animals. The data collected were analyzed descriptively. Result of the current study showed that the loss of interest of farmers in keeping kambing gembrong is due to factors as follows. (1). Backgrounds or characteristics of farmers that include the low level of education, the negative perception and the inappropriate skills in keeping this hairy goat. (2). The lack of intention by the Government to conserve this endangered species of goat, shown by their lack of financial support and guidance to kambing gembrong keepers. (3). Above all of those, kambing gembrong has less economic values compared to other breeds of goat available locally. Thus, consequently, the goat keepers find very little or even have no benefit in keeping kambing gembrong. Therefore, we suggest that the Government should continuously conduct a kind of extension service and guidance concerning the keeping kambing gembrong to farmers as well as in providing facilities and funds in order to conserve or prevent of the disappearance of this animal.