Prior
to Dr. Mecha's globally recognized research in 1974, these Sheep and Goats
were known to many researchers and farmers as the Western African Dwarf
Sheep and Goats. They lumped all goats from West Africa in addition to the
goats from Mali to the horn of Africa [Ethiopia].
Below are some of the inquiries on these breeds of Sheep and Goats over
the years.
Egbunike et al (1975), Moor Plantation, Ibadan,
confirmed his interest in photographs of the goats as displayed by the
author during a conference, which Dr. Mecha attended somewhere in Nigeria.
He proposed to purchase a good number of these goats, which, along with
the photographs, would be used for teaching and research.
Steinbach (1974), a German Professor of Animal
Science, formerly a reader in one of the Universities in
Nigeria, wrote to the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria,
Nsukka, Prof. Kodilinye, about Mecha's work on goats. "I want to draw
your attention to two projects, which were carried out under the
supervision of Mr. [Dr.] I Mecha on a village farm near the
university campus. I was so much impressed by the novel approach to
send students into the village to work with a farmer, that I visited the
farm myself with the lecturer, Mr. [Dr.] I. Mecha. I would like to suggest
Sir, that you, your Senate, and the faculty of Agricultural Sciences would
support Mr. I. Mecha both morally and financially, perhaps by a teaching
grant so that he may continue during the coming and during future sessions
to place students on village farms for their final year projects. The objective
of such projects should be as has been in the two projects carried out
during the session now ending, to ask the students to solve a problem a
village farmer might have together with him. This would prepare the
students much better for their professional life than - for instance,
highly theoretical studies in statistical genetics.
De Maas (1976) from Germany wrote as
follows, "From Dr. J Steinbach I learnt about your work on goats and
their production potential. Since we are engaged in gathering as much
information as possible on goats as a source of protein, we would be most
grateful, if you could send us some of your publications on this type of
small stock or production figures, as related to milk production,
reproduction and growth rates of Nigerian goats (Red Sokoto, West
African Dwarf goat. Similarly, we would be rather keen to learn about the
role goats play in the rural areas, i.e. as a source of food for the
peasant farmer, as well as it's competitive role towards sheep and/ or
cattle...".
Freeman (1980) from Canada said, "your
ambassador gave me some reference on Nigerian Dwarf Goats. If I can find
some background, the Canadian Goat Society will register them: we
just have nothing on them in Canada or U.S.A. I have 9 of the Dwarf and
some of the Cameroon Pygmy (blue gray short foot with black face mark of
stockings). I am so anxious to know more about the dwarf. They are great
little animals. If you had said something like this: (3) Epstein 1953. The
dwarf goats of Africa, East African Agric 3 18(13) pp 123- 132 (9) Mecha,
1 (1978) Identification for the Existing Goats Breeds of Southern Nigerian