Sustainable development of animal genetic resources according to the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED 1987) is the management and conservation of animal genetic resources such that it meets the needs of the present and future generations. To achieve this, it has to be environmentally non-degrading, technically appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable. Sustainable development of animal genetic resources is crucial in order to ensure food security and be able to meet the challenges to be faced by the animal industry in the future.
Sustainable development requires continued improvement in the production performance of the various livestock species, their husbandry and production processes, the quality of products and processing, and the marketing. Productivity of animal genetic resources has to be continuously enhanced in line with the changing production systems and environmental challenges. The quality of livestock products has to be developed in accordance with market demands and consumer preferences. Enhancing productivity through genetic improvement requires genetic diversity. Further improving the productivity of the high yielding commercial exotic breeds with narrow genetic base require introduction of new genes. Indigenous and local breeds are reservoirs of unexploited germplasm. However, these breeds are fast diminishing, and will soon be lost unless keeping them is profitable to the farmers. The indigenous breeds and locally developed synthetic breeds as well as the non- descript crosses require continuous improvement. The performance, genetic structure and genetic diversity of these genetic resources have to be evaluated. Genetic characterisation will identify unique traits and characteristics of these breeds which may be exploited so that values may be added to them (LPP et al., 2010). Only with added value will there be sustainable utilisation facilitating the survival of these breeds in the future as part of the animal industry. In developing countries where low stress, high input farming systems as required by the high yielding exotic breeds is not possible, local breeds and locally developed synthetic breeds and non-descript crosses have to be developed to increase food production and provide economic resources to the farmers. Many indigenous breeds are known for their hardiness, resistance to diseases and parasites, and prolificacy. The genes associated with these beneficial traits may be transferred to the commercial breeds through appropriate breeding methods and gene technology.
Although the earlier part of this paper emphasizes the importance of local breeds, sustainable development of the animal industry cannot be achieved merely focusing to these.
Focus should be on all available animal genetic resources in the country. The further development of the commercial exotic breeds will be taken care of by animal breeders in the countries that developed these. However, individual countries should be concerned about the indigenous and local breeds, the crosses developed through planned breeding programmes, the locally adapted imported breeds and the non-descript crosses.
Genetic variability within and among populations and breeds serves as an indicator of population dynamics, inbreeding, and level of admixture among populations (Li et al., 2007;
Wilkinson et al., 2011). Evaluation of these will provide the valuable information necessary to decide on breeding strategies for individual breed development, and to identify the suitable production systems and conditions for the respective breeds (Hanotte et al., 2005; Hanotte &
Jianlin, 2006). Breeding programmes should be designed based on the production systems, economic needs of the farmers, and the current and future markets. It is pertinent that
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selection based on genetic merit and correct breeding strategies are adopted; this requires proper data recording (Panandam, 1991). Optimal selection, sufficient breeding animals and alternative breeding populations are needed to avoid inbreeding. Biotechnology tools may be used to enhance the genetic merit of the breeds (Sellner et al., 2007; Laible, 2009).
Reproduction technologies should be adopted to disseminate the genes of high merit animals, increase the rate of selection response and avoid inbreeding (Cowan and Becker, 2006).
Continued research is also crucial for conserving the genetic diversity and for the sustainable development of livestock productivity.
Conclusion
Local animal genetic resources are valuable assets of individual countries. They represent the germplasm pool that is vital for further improvement of livestock productivity, enabling the livestock industry to meet current and future challenges and to ensure food security. The rapid erosion of animal genetic diversity should be our concern and measures to reduce further loss should be adopted without delay. Local animal genetic resources have to be characterized; their performances, genetic diversity and unique qualities have to be evaluated and monitored. The above tasks which are vital for the sustainable development of the animal industry are both global and national responsibilities. Therefore, they have to be government- driven and government-supported. However, success may only be achieved through global and national cooperation and the consorted efforts of the various stakeholders in the animal industry.
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