Successes and failures of small ruminant breeding programmes in the tropics: a review

Kosgey, I.S.; Baker, R. L.; Udo, H.M.J.; Arendonk, J.A.M. van

doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2005.01.003

Cited by 242 publications

(198 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…This also requires a deeper understanding of the resistance to change by farmers in a variety of contexts. For instance, breeding programs in the tropics benefited from farmers being involved at every stage of the process, and from the integration of their traditional practices and values (Kosgey et al, 2006).…”

Section: Scaling-up Agroecological Apsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forty research issues for the redesign of animal production systems in the 21st century

Dumont

García

Thomas

et al. 2014

Animal

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Agroecology offers a scientific and operational framework for redesigning animal production systems (APS) so that they better cope with the coming challenges. Grounded in the stimulation and valorization of natural processes to reduce inputs and pollutions in agroecosystems, it opens a challenging research agenda for the animal science community. In this paper, we identify key research issues that define this agenda. We first stress the need to assess animal robustness by measurable traits, to analyze trade-offs between production and adaptation traits at within-breed and between-breed level, and to better understand how group selection, epigenetics and animal learning shape performance. Second, we propose research on the nutritive value of alternative feed resources, including the environmental impacts of producing these resources and their associated non-provisioning services. Third, we look at how the design of APS based on agroecological principles valorizes interactions between system components and promotes biological diversity at multiple scales to increase system resilience. Addressing such challenges requires a collection of theories and models (concept-knowledge theory, viability theory, companion modeling, etc.). Acknowledging the ecology of contexts and analyzing the rationales behind traditional small-scale systems will increase our understanding of mechanisms contributing to the success or failure of agroecological practices and systems. Fourth, the large-scale development of agroecological products will require analysis of resistance to change among farmers and other actors in the food chain. Certifications and market-based incentives could be an important lever for the expansion of agroecological alternatives in APS. Finally, we question the suitability of current agriculture extension services and public funding mechanisms for scaling-up agroecological practices and systems.

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Section: Scaling-up Agroecological Apsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forty research issues for the redesign of animal production systems in the 21st century

Dumont

García

Thomas

et al. 2014

Animal

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“…In the case of within breed selection artificial insemination is an option for producing offspring of improved quality for the desired traits. In Kenya within breed selection failed largely due to the absence of animal identification and performance and pedigree recording systems (Kosgey et al 2006). In addition to these basic requirements for genetic improvement there are other constraints such as small flock sizes, single sire flocks and pastoralist systems, low level if literacy and cultural values.…”

Section: Animal Recording Systems: a Prerequisite For Successful Reprmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to these basic requirements for genetic improvement there are other constraints such as small flock sizes, single sire flocks and pastoralist systems, low level if literacy and cultural values. In several papers nucleus schemes have been recommended for genetic improvement in developing countries (Kosgey et al, 2006). Nucleus schemes have the advantage of all recording and selection to be done within the nucleus herds or flocks.…”

Section: Animal Recording Systems: a Prerequisite For Successful Reprmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Perspective on the Impact of Reproductive Technologies on Food Production in Africa

Marle-Köster

Webb

2013

Current and Future Reproductive Technologies and World Food Production

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Africa for the largest part is still regarded as part of the developing world and has a history of political instability, natural disasters, floods and droughts that all had an effect on the development of livestock production systems and the potential application of biotechnologies. It is expected that the human population in sub Saharan Africa will experience a growth of 1.2 % per year over the next 30 years. There is therefore pressure to increase sustainable productivity of livestock. Reproductive technologies such as Artificial Insemination in Africa were driven primarily by the need to control or prevent venereal diseases like Trichomoniases and Campylobacter fetus venerealis in cattle. Reproductive biotechnology had a limited impact in Africa due to several factors including a lack of infrastructure and animal recording systems, clear breeding objectives and continuously changing production systems and markets. Africa has a large variety of genetic resources adapted to the diverse environment and production systems and biotechnology should be applied within this context for an increase in food production.

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“…Production levels and market linkages must be incorporated into the framework when defining the breeding objectives (Kosgey et al, 2006). It is noteworthy that the apparent success in the Kenyan dairy sector was set many years back through substantial investment and support from the government.…”

Section: Strategies For Improvementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Institutional and organizational frameworks for dairy and beef cattle recording in Kenya: a review and opportunities for improvement

Kosgey

Mbuku

Okeyo

et al. 2011

Anim. Genet. Resour.

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SummaryTo facilitate livestock improvement in developing countries, records on animal populations and their various productivity levels are important. However, in these countries, livestock recording presents a huge challenge. This paper presents an outline of the historical developments and the current scenario in dairy and beef recording in Kenya, where a recording scheme has been in place since 1963, yet the productive potential of most animals in the country remains unknown. The paper brings into context the state of recording in relation to the potential for future developments in dairy and beef production within the country. Despite the enormous existing potential, low numbers of livestock records are captured due to multiple challenges, which include limited funding, lack of incentives to record, limited feedback on records, a fragmented organizational structure, poor infrastructure, limited numbers of skilled personnel and lack of supporting policies. Strategies to overcome the challenges and achieve more sustainable utilization of the existing livestock populations are discussed. Linking recording to key service providers within the livestock production sector could enhance data collection, processing and feedback to livestock producers. The quality of extension services provided must be improved in order to holistically support livestock production. Recent international regulations on the traceability of livestock products sold within different countries mean that unless Kenya implements a robust animal recording programme, the country will be locked out of markets for its livestock products. Keywords: livestock recording, organizations, opportunities, KenyaRésumé Pour favoriser l'amélioration des animaux d'élevage dans les pays en développement, les registres relatifs aux populations et à leurs différents niveaux de productivité sont importants. Cependant, dans ces pays, le contrôle des performances des animaux d'élevage est un défi de taille. Le document présente les grandes lignes des évolutions historiques et le scénario actuel du contrôle des performances des bovins à viande et laitiers au Kenya. Dans ce pays, un programme d'enregistrement est en place depuis 1963, mais les potentialités productives de la plupart des animaux sont encore inconnues. Le document place dans son contexte l'état des enregistrements par rapport aux potentialités de futurs développements dans la production laitière et de viande du pays. Malgré les énormes potentialités existantes, les enregistrements saisis sur les animaux d'élevage sont limités en raison de plusieurs difficultés comme la faiblesse des financements, le manque de mesures incitatives en leur faveur, l'insuffisance de la remontée d'information relative aux enregistrements, la fragmentation de la structure organisationnelle, la faible qualité des infrastructures, le nombre limité de personnel qualifié et l'absence de politiques de soutien. Les stratégies visant à surmonter ces défis et à atteindre une utilisation durable des populations existantes d'animaux d...

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Successes and failures of small ruminant breeding programmes in the tropics: a review

Cited by 242 publications

References 20 publications

Forty research issues for the redesign of animal production systems in the 21st century

Forty research issues for the redesign of animal production systems in the 21st century

A Perspective on the Impact of Reproductive Technologies on Food Production in Africa

Institutional and organizational frameworks for dairy and beef cattle recording in Kenya: a review and opportunities for improvement

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