Why conserve indigenous livestock?

A large number of indigenous uniquely adapted breeds have become extinct since the turn of the last century while a further 32% are at risk of becoming extinct and the rate of extinction continues to accelerate.

Factors that cause threat to indigenous animal genetic resources include:

Constraints for conservation

The FAO Global Action Plan has identified the lack of relevant institutional capacity as a key consraint to the conservation and utilisation of Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR).  Capacity building in the field of indigenous FanGR is therefore a high priority.

There is an urgent need to create awareness at the governmental decision-making levels on the issues and links between poverty alleviation in rural areas, improvement of indigenous livestock production and the conservation of diversity.

This can be achieved through:

Project justification and rationale

Little has been done in developing countries with regard to strategies for sustainable use of livestock genetic diversity for securing and improving human livelihoods. The development of such strategies will need to address:

Goal

The long term objective of the project is to secure and improve livelihoods of poor livestock keepers through utilization and conservation of indigenous FAnGR.

The project objective will be achieved through improved understanding of the diversity and production potential of the genetic resources, increased knowledge of market potential, identification of niche and development of niche market opportunities and improvement in the policy environment in support of indigenous breeds.

Purpose

The short term objectives of the project are

(i)       the marketing, improvement and conservation of indigenous Chickens, Goats and Pigs achieved through phenotypic and molecular characterization, policy and economic strategies, through increased public awareness; and

(ii)      the improvement of institutional and technical capacities for the development and implementation of action plans for poverty alleviation through utilization and conservation of indigenous animals

The project countries

The project will be implemented in four countries in South and South East Asia: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

Targeted species

The project will focus on three species; chicken, goat and pig of particular importance to poor farming communities and their more vulnerable.  members, especially women and children.