Characterization, Inventory and Monitoring of trends in indigenous livestock Dr. E. D. Ilatsia D. N. Kamiti 23-Oct-15Animal Breeding and Genomics Group1

Characterization, Inventory and Monitoring of trends in indigenous

livestock

Dr. E. D. Ilatsia

D. N. Kamiti

Apr 20, 2023 Animal Breeding and Genomics Group 1

Presentation Outline

Characterization, inventory and monitoring

Importance

Status

Tools


Questions

Why are we here?

Where do we want to go?

How do we get there?


Characterization

Encompasses all activities associated with the

identification, quantitative and qualitative description, and

documentation of breed populations and the natural

habitats and production systems to which they are or are

not adapted.


Characterization…

The aim is to obtain better knowledge of AnGR, of their

present and potential future uses for food and agriculture

in defined environments, and their current state as distinct

breed populations (FAO, 1984; Rege, 1992).

It provides the baseline information as well as the criteria

that will be used to establish and update the inventory.


Inventory

Inventory of species and breeds, their population sizes,

geographic distribution and possibly their genetic

diversity is generally undertaken as a first step in any

national programme for the management of animal

genetic resources for food and agriculture.


Monitoring

A systematic set of activities undertaken to document

changes over time in the size, structure, characteristics

and distribution of livestock populations, along with

changes to their production environments (including their

management)

As use and management of animal genetic resources

are dynamic processes, monitoring the status of a

population has to be done on a regular basis.


Monitoring…

Monitoring should be conducted at least once per

generation of the species, particularly for breeds

classified as at risk or potentially at risk

This monitoring should serve as the basis for national

early warning


Importance of characterization and monitoring

“you can’t manage what you don’t measure”

Effective management of AnGR is needed to achieve

development objectives e.g. food and livelihood security,

sustainable utilization of natural resources, etc.


1. Enhance knowledge of population size and structure

Comprehensive breed inventories and data on the size

and structure of breed populations are prerequisites for

effective management of AnGR.


2. Enhance knowledge of breeds’ geographical distribution

Breeds that are very restricted in their distribution are

likely to be particularly vulnerable to some threats (e.g.

disease epidemics).

If such breeds are identified, steps can be taken to

address these vulnerabilities.

Therefore, breed distributions need to be mapped and

then monitored over time.


3. Enhance knowledge of breeds’ characteristics

It is essential to their use and development.

Many local breeds have unique traits that make them

well adapted to harsh production conditions.

If breeds are not characterized, opportunities to use

and develop them to improve livestock production may

be overlooked


4. Enhance knowledge of breeds’ production environments

Effectively matching breeds to production

environments is an important means of avoiding the

costly mistakes that may occur when breeds are

introduced to new areas


5. Identify and monitor threats to animal genetic resources

Threats to AnGR are many and diverse.

Ensuring that action is taken to protect breeds from

extinction requires that these threats be identified.


6. Document cultural aspects of livestock production and breed utilization

Understanding these roles is important in the

planning and implementation of interventions aimed

at promoting better use and development of AnGR.

It is also important for understanding the

distinctiveness of particular livestock populations.


7. Support strategic planning for the sustainable utilization

Without good knowledge of AnGR, decision-makers will

be unable to develop strategic plans for sustainable use

and development.

The information gained from monitoring is important for

identifying trends that need to be addressed, and

provides a basis for assessing progress in the

implementation of existing plans and policies.


8. Improve priority setting for conservation programmes

The limited availability of resources for conservation

programmes to protect breeds that are at risk means

that priority setting is necessary.

Decisions as to which breeds to target for conservation

require up-to date information on the risk status of all

the breeds under consideration and on any unique

characteristics that the breeds may possess.


9. Meet international obligations

Within the framework of the Convention on Biological

Diversity (CBD), countries are obliged to report on the

status of their national biodiversity.

It calls on countries to identify and monitor their

biodiversity.

It recognizes that these activities are fundamental to the

conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources.


Current status

According to The State of the World's Animal Genetic

Resources for Food and Agriculture, population size is

missing for over two-thirds of African breed populations.

The gaps in data and information are obstacles to the

effective sharing of data and information within and

between countries.


Tools for characterization

Surveying

Monitoring

Molecular genetic characterization

Information systems


Surveying

It is undertaken to systematically collect data needed to

identify breed populations and describe their observable

characteristics, geographical distribution, uses and

general husbandry, as well as their production

environments.

Full baseline surveys need to be undertaken once; some

elements of the survey may be repeated when significant

changes are observed in the livestock sector.


Monitoring

Changes in population size and structure need to be

documented regularly for all breeds.

At present, most national livestock censuses do not

contain breed-level data, and so regular reporting of

breed population numbers does not take place.


Molecular genetic characterization

Characterization at the molecular genetic level is

undertaken mainly to explore genetic diversity within and

between animal populations, and to determine genetic

relationships among such populations.


Information systems

An information system normally includes hardware,

software (applications), organized data (information) and

facilities for communication (e.g. GIS, POPREP, VORTEX).

Collectively they contain important information for decision-

making, research, training, planning and evaluation of

programmes, progress reporting and public awareness.


Documents

Characterization, Inventory and Monitoring of trends in indigenous livestock Dr. E. D. Ilatsia D. N. Kamiti 23-Oct-15Animal Breeding and Genomics Group1