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Infrastructure for sustainable use of animal genetic resources in Southern and Eastern Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 September 2013

E. Zonabend ,
A.M. Okeyo ,
J.M.K. Ojango ,
I. Hoffmann ,
S. Moyo  and
J. Philipsson
E. Zonabend*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
A.M. Okeyo
Affiliation:
International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
J.M.K. Ojango
Affiliation:
International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
I. Hoffmann
Affiliation:
Animal Genetic Resources Branch, Animal Production and Health Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
S. Moyo
Affiliation:
International Livestock Research Institute, Maputo, Mozambique
J. Philipsson
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
*
Correspondence to: E. Zonabend, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. [email protected]
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Summary

The Global Plan of Action (GPA) for Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) adopted by FAO recognizes the role of AnGR for food security through improved productivity while maintaining genetic diversity. A critical issue for conservation and genetic improvement programmes is the availability of supportive infrastructure. The objective of the present study was to assess existing and needed infrastructure for sustainable use of AnGR in a sample of countries in Southern and Eastern Africa. Information was primarily obtained from semi-structured interviews with key personnel in animal breeding during country visits. Countries studied are at different stages of development. No complete breeding programmes are in place but some conservation programmes exist in most countries. Except for a few cases, livestock recording as basis for R&D and breeding practice is lacking. The institutional setup to support animal breeding programmes is fragmented and needs to be better integrated. Shortage of skilled personnel is noted as the most serious constraint for development. Countries with least university training in animal breeding have least developed AnGR activities. However, since the GPA was agreed upon, many countries have re-casted their policies and make efforts to develop breeding policies. A change in mindsets aiming at closer collaboration among institutions, farmer involvement and capacity development and strengthening at all levels is suggested.

Résumé

Le Plan d'Action Mondial pour les Ressources Zoogénétiques adopté par la FAO reconnaît le rôle que les Ressources Zoogénétiques jouent dans la garantie de la sécurité alimentaire en améliorant la productivité tout en conservant la diversité génétique. La disponibilité d'une infrastructure de soutien s'avère une question cruciale pour les programmes de conservation et d'amélioration génétique. L'objectif de cette étude est d'évaluer l'infrastructure existante et celle requise pour l'utilisation durable des Ressources Zoogénétiques dans un échantillon de pays de l'Afrique Méridionale et Orientale. L'information a été essentiellement obtenue au moyen d'interviews semi-structurés réalisés, pendant les visites aux pays, à du personnel clé en matière d'élevage. Les pays étudiés se trouvent à différents niveaux de développement. Il n'y a pas de programmes complets d'amélioration génétique en place mais des programmes de conservation existent dans la plupart des pays. À quelques exceptions près, les pays manquent de systèmes d'enregistrement du bétail servant de base à l'exercice de la R&D (recherche et développement) et de l'amélioration génétique. La structure institutionnelle de soutien aux programmes d'amélioration génétique animale est fragmentée, une meilleure intégration de celle-ci étant donc nécessaire. Le manque de personnel qualifié a été identifié comme étant la contrainte la plus grave pour le développement. Les pays avec le moins de formation universitaire en sélection animale sont ceux qui présentent les activités les moins développées en matière de Ressources Zoogénétiques. Néanmoins, depuis l'adoption du Plan d'Action Mondial, plusieurs pays ont reformulé leurs politiques et sont en train de faire des efforts pour développer des directives de sélection. Un changement de mentalité est suggéré, à tous les niveaux, en vue d'une collaboration plus étroite entre institutions, l'engagement des éleveurs et le développement et renforcement des capacités.

Resumen

El Plan de Acción Mundial sobre los Recursos Zoogenéticos adoptado por la FAO reconoce el papel que los Recursos Zoogenéticos desempeñan en la garantía de la seguridad alimentaria mejorando la productividad y manteniendo a la vez la diversidad genética. Disponer de una infraestructura de apoyo es una cuestión crucial en los programas de conservación y mejora genética. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar la infraestructura existente y la necesaria para el uso sostenible de los Recursos Zoogenéticos en un conjunto de países de África Meridional y Oriental. La información fue fundamentalmente obtenida a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas realizadas, durante las visitas a los países, a personal clave en la cría animal. Los países estudiados se hallan a distintos niveles de desarrollo. No hay programas integrales de mejora genética implantados pero en la mayoría de los países existen algunos programas de conservación. Exceptuando unos pocos casos, se carece de registro ganadero como base para la práctica de la I + D (investigación y desarrollo) y la mejora genética. El sistema institucional de apoyo a los programas de mejora genética animal está fragmentado, con lo que se hace necesaria una mejor integración del mismo. La escasez de personal cualificado ha sido identificada como la limitación más grave para el desarrollo. Los países con la menor formación universitaria en cría animal son aquellos que presentan las actividades menos desarrolladas en materia de Recursos Zoogenéticos. No obstante, desde la adopción del Plan de Acción Mundial, son muchos los países que han replanteado sus políticas y están haciendo esfuerzos por desarrollar directrices de mejora. Se sugiere un cambio, a todos los niveles, en el modo de pensar con vistas a un estrechamiento de la colaboración entre instituciones, la implicación de los ganaderos y el desarrollo y fortalecimiento de capacidades.

Keywords

breeding programmelivestock recordingpolicyhuman resourceinstitutionprogramme de sélectionenregistrement du bétailpolitiquesressources humainesinstitutionsprograma de mejoraregistro ganaderopolíticasrecursos humanosinstituciones
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 53 , December 2013 , pp. 79 - 93
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2013 

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