Breeding Indigenous Cattle Genetic Resources for Beef Production in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This paper reviews breeding technologies vital for breeding programme development in Sub-Saharan Africa while considering indigenous cattle genetic resources for beef production. The importance of beef cattle is highlighted, given the globally and regionally growing demand for meat and the fact that Sub-Saharan Africa is home to a large population of indigenous cattle-for which, however, few examples of successful breeding programmes exist. Examples are analysed, including the N'Dama pure breeding programme in western Africa, the Boran improvement programme in eastern Africa, Nguni cattle breeding in southern Africa and the Ankole cattle of Uganda. The characteristics of livestock production systems, livestock breeds and socio-political aspects of Sub-Saharan Africa have largely inhibited successful breeding technology transfer from developed countries. Technological adjustments and the increasing consideration of target group involvement in livestock breeding programmes may offer better possibilities for raising production by breeding in low-input and medium-input livestock production systems. Livestock keepers can be differentiated into breeder groups and commercial groups. Breeder groups are important targets for genetic improvement programmes via community-based genetic improvement organizations. Breeding programmes are suggested for Sub-Saharan Africa within the concept of regional genetic improvement programmes controlled by breed societies, government and national agricultural research systems.

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

“…Although some farmer organizations with a mandate to improve livestock exist in most countries, they are usually weakly organized, partly due to shortage of trained staff to technically support them. Thus, supporting farmer organizations, or facilitating their formation, to enable them take active part in development of breeding programmes is extremely important (Rewe et al, 2009). This would enable the farmers to not only own the process, but also effectively and sustainably run the activities.…”

“…Genetic improvement programmes are important for increased productivity of livestock breeds and for their sustainable use, whereas conservation programmes are essential in order to secure important indigenous breeds or alleles that otherwise would be in danger of extinction (Rewe et al, 2009;Philipsson et al, 2011). However, it is most important that breeds are continuously developed in harmony with environmental and market needs in order to stay competitive for economic or cultural reasons, thereby avoiding endangerment.…”

“…For these programmes livestock identification and performance recording that enable use of information for selection of superior breeding stock of appropriate breeds have been essential. On the contrary, in low to medium input systems functioning infrastructure to support breeding activities is often lacking, or is underdeveloped (Wollny, 2003;Rewe et al, 2009;Rege et al, 2011). In order for breeding programmes to succeed, infrastructure such as physical facilities, functioning recording and genetic evaluation systems, are required (Cardellino and Boyazoglu, 2009).…”

“…Most countries in Africa and Asia lack functioning breeding programmes, whereas some Latin American countries developed commercially viable breeding programmes for indigenous breeds and crosses (Madalena, 2012). Common reasons for the failures are lack of involvement and engagement of farmers and other stakeholders (Rewe et al, 2009;Faco et al, 2011;Wurzinger, Solkner and Iniguez, 2011). There is therefore a need to have long-term plans for breeding programmes, which adequately respond to both the present and anticipated future market needs.…”

“…Comprehensive assessments of the existing institutional frameworks and capacities need to precede such strengthening to be effective. So far very little has been done to investigate the situation in Sub-Saharan Africa, except for the review by Rewe et al, (2009) of breeding indigenous beef breeds, and an assessment of the Kenyan organization of dairy and beef recording by Kosgey et al (2011). The latter revealed that even though the country has large potentials, relatively few records on livestock are captured and organizations lack coordination.…”