Genetic improvement of small ruminants in low-input, smallholder production systems: Technical and infrastructural issues

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2007.01.007Get rights and content

Abstract

Small ruminants (i.e., sheep and goats) are ubiquitous, and contribute significantly to the subsistence, economic and social livelihoods of a large human population in low-input, smallholder production systems in developing countries. Increasing human population, urbanization and incomes, coupled with changing consumer preferences are creating more demand for these animals and their products. This demand can effectively be met by substantially increasing the productivity of these animals. Integrated effort in terms of management, health, genetic improvement and product technology to enhance production and decrease wastage is, therefore, desirable. Efficient genetic improvement programs can boost output and profitability for the smallholders. However, there is a lack of information on sustainable conventional genetic improvement programs under smallholder production circumstances. Consequently, methods for implementing and the factors influencing the success of genetic improvement programs should be studied. This review focuses on the technical and infrastructural issues affecting the genetic improvement of small ruminants in low-input, smallholder production systems. It is concluded that a key step is to identify existing structures, institutions, and indigenous breeding practices, and, to build upon these foundation programs where there are opportunities for sustainable genetic improvement.

Introduction

Small ruminants (i.e., sheep and goats), especially indigenous breeds, are widespread and important to the subsistence, economic and social livelihoods of a large human population in developing countries (Kosgey, 2004). These animals have lower feed and capital requirements than larger species, making them suited to smallholder producers (Devendra, 2002). They also have shorter generation intervals, higher prolificacy, small size, and are better able to utilize a wide range of feedstuffs, including crop residues that are of little value otherwise (Holst, 1999, Pelant et al., 1999). In Africa and Asia, population of small ruminants is increasing due to their better adaptation to the prevailing conditions and suitability to small-scale farms (FAO, 2004). Despite the large numbers and importance of small ruminants in developing countries, information on sustainable genetic improvement programs under smallholder production circumstances is scarce, especially for the adapted indigenous breeds (Kosgey et al., 2006). Few studies have addressed the technical and infrastructural issues pertaining to sustainable genetic improvement programs in these systems. This paper focuses on these two issues. First, to provide the context, the salient features of low-input, smallholder production systems are highlighted.

Section snippets

Smallholder production systems

Smallholder production systems comprise sedentary farmers, each with small parcels of land, in which they practice mixed (crop and livestock) farming (Kosgey et al., 2006). In the developing world, mixed farming systems are mainly found in the agriculturally medium to high potential areas. In some instances, households live in marginal areas or are landless. The latter have to rely on public or other people's land (Pelant et al., 1999). Approximately 64% of the world's small ruminants are kept

Overview of genetic improvement programs

The main pathways for genetic improvement of livestock are: (i) selection within breeds (populations); (ii) selection between breeds (populations); and (iii) crossbreeding. Crossbreeding could embrace upgrading for breed substitution, formation of synthetics or systematic terminal and rotational crossing. Detailed discussion on the application of these methods have been presented by Ponzoni (1992), Baker and Gray (2004) and Kosgey (2004) and will not be discussed further here.

In designing new

General discussion and conclusions

There is great potential for small ruminants to contribute more to the livelihoods of people in low-input, smallholder production systems. To achieve that, efficient and sustainable genetic improvement programs are required to boost output and profitability, and meet the peoples’ needs for the animal products. Yet the over-riding conclusion of this review is that genetic improvement is but one component of what has to be an integrated approach to enhancing the productivity of small ruminants,

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya) and Egerton University (Njoro, Kenya) for provision of facilities and support.

References (60)

  • C.O. Ahuya et al.

    Farm-Africa dairy goat and animal healthcare project: a successful case of agricultural research and sustainable development partnership

  • P.R. Amer et al.

    Definition of breeding objectives for sustainable production systems

  • R.L. Baker et al.

    Appropriate breeds and breeding schemes for sheep and goats in the tropics

  • R.L. Baker et al.

    Genetic resistance to diseases and other stresses in improvement of ruminant livestock in the tropics

  • R.L. Baker et al.

    Genotype by environment interactions for productivity and resistance to gastro-intestinal nematode parasites in Red Maasai and Dorper sheep

    Anim. Sci.

    (2004)
  • C.T. Chako

    Development of the Sunandini cattle breed in India

  • Darfaoui, E.M., 2000. D’man sheep breeding program in Morocco. In: Galal, S., Boyazoglu, J., Hammond, K. (Eds.),...
  • S.M. Das

    Preliminary results on the evaluation and breeding of Blended dairy goats in Tanzania

  • C. de Haan et al.

    Livestock and the Environment: Finding the Balance

    (1996)
  • C. Devendra

    Potential productivity from small ruminants and contribution to improved livelihoods in developing countries

  • Fall, A., 2000. Peul, Touabire and Djallonké breeding programs in Senegal. In: Galal, S., Boyazoglu, J., Hammond, K....
  • FAO
    (1988)
  • FAO, 2002. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy...
  • FAO

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

    (2004)
  • M.G. Gicheha et al.

    Evaluation of the efficiency of alternative two-tier nucleus breeding systems designed to improve meat sheep in Kenya

    J. Anim Breed. Genet.

    (2006)
  • J. Hodges

    Genetic improvement of livestock in developing countries using the open nucleus breeding system

  • L. Iñiguez

    Community breeding programs for small ruminants in the Andean region

  • ITC, 2003. International Trypanotolerance Centre, Banjul, The Gambia. Newsletter No. 2, July 2003, 12...
  • A.K. Kahi et al.

    Establishment of sustainable community-based organizations for the genetic improvement of livestock (CBOGIL) in developing countries

    Outlook on Agric.

    (2005)
  • P. Karakaraj et al.

    Breeding strategies for sheep in Tamil Nadu

  • Cited by (0)

    This paper is part of the special issue entitled “The Outlook of Quantitative and Molecular Genetics Applications in Improving Sheep and Goats” guest edited by David Notter, R. Leyden Baker and Noelle Cockett.

    View full text