Full Description
This open access book is a rich resource that chronicles the abundant livestock genetic resources in Africa. Organized in five sections, the chapters trace special productive and adaptive attributes of African livestock breeds, past breed improvement efforts, capacity building and strategies to effective utilization of available genetic resources in the era of modern technologies. The authors cover major farm animal groups as well as dromedaries, rabbits and grasscutters.
In view of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (in particular SDG 2, Zero Hunger, and SDG 15, Life on Land), the purpose of this volume is to catalogue opportunities that can be leveraged with available technologies and technical knowhow for achieving rapid genetic gain and improved livestock productivity in Africa. It fosters the utilization of genetic resources and the protection of indigenous livestock biodiversity.
Natural selection and humans have generated genetically diverse breeds of domesticated farm animals which can significantly contribute to the livelihoods of millions of Africans today. Africa's indigenous livestock are particularly hardy and well-adapted to local production contexts, having evolved adaptations to the continent's diverse climatic conditions and environmental pressures. In spite of the wealth of desirable genetic traits, however, some of Africa's iconic and lesser-known livestock are disappearing at an alarming rate. Moreover, despite increasing recognition of what this diversity portends, little has been done to understand and optimally harness the full potential of these genetic resources.
By combining scientific basis and practical instructions, this work is a valuable manual for a diverse readership, including students, researchers, livestock farmers, livestock and non-governmental organizations, policy makers and business professionals who want to understand the uniqueness of African livestock genetic resources, production systems and strategies for sustainable improvement for the African environment.
Contents
Chapter 1. An overview of African livestock genetic resources and improvement strategies.- Chapter 2. African livestock production systems: The past, present and the projected future.- Chapter 3. The history, geography, and characteristics of indigenous African Taurine cattle.- Chapter 4. The history, geography and characteristics of African Zebu, Zebu-Taurine derivatives, and well-established exotic cattle breeds.- Chapter 5. African Goat Genetic Resources, Diversity and Unique Features.- Chapter 6. African Sheep Genetic Resources, Diversity and Unique Features.- Chapter 7. African domestic poultry genetic resources, diversity, and unique features.- Chapter 8. Pig genetic resources of Africa.- Chapter 9. African dromedary genetic resources, diversity and breeding systems.- Chapter 10. African donkey genetic resources, diversity, and breeding strategies.- Chapter 11. African horse genetic resources and breeding strategies for African input systems.- Chapter 12. African water buffalo genetic resources, diversity and unique features.- Chapter 13. Non-conventional animal genetic resources, diversity and unique features.- Chapter 14. Contributions of African livestock production systems to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming in the face of climate change.- Chapter 15. Defining breeding goals and breeding strategies for improving livestock under various production systems in Africa: Concept and brief overview.- Chapter 16. Defining breeding goals and breeding strategies for improving the productivity of cattle and buffalo in African production systems.- Chapter 17. Breeding goals and strategies for improving Small Ruminant productivity in African input systems.- Chapter 18. Defining breeding goals and breeding strategies for chicken production systems.- Chapter 19. Defining breeding goals and breeding strategies for pigs in various African production systems.- Chapter 20. The role of modern technologies for sustainable genetic improvement of African livestock.- Chapter 21. The role of modern technologies for improving the production environment of livestock in Africa.- Chapter 22. Prospects for utilization of modern technologies for large ruminant improvement in African input systems.- Chapter 23. Prospect for utilization of modern technologies in poultry improvement: A case study for Africa.- Chapter 24. Prospect for utilization of modern technologies for small ruminant and pig improvement in African input systems: Case studies.- Chapter 25. Conservation and management of animal genetic resources in the context of African livestock production systems: The case for in-situ and ex-situ conservation.- Chapter 26. Economic Considerations and Framework of Conservation of African Animal Genetic Resources.- Chapter 27. Capacity strengthening of animal genetic improvement education in Africa.- Chapter 28. Capacity building in livestock breeding and genetic improvement in achieving UN sustainable development goals for Africa.- Chapter 29. Harnessing multi-country cooperations, initiatives, facilities and technologies for advancing livestock genetic improvement in Africa.- Chapter 30. Policies, frameworks, strategies, and action plans for conservation and sustainable use of African animal genetic resources.- Chapter 31. Resourcing and institutional arrangements to deliver sustainable animal genetic improvement in Africa.
