Livestock Under Threat: Managing the Future of Native West African Ruminant Livestock

There is more livestock diversity in Africa than on any
other continent. Some indigenous breeds of cattle, goats and sheep
are disease resistant, and others can withstand feed and water
shortages. But most are less productive than some imported breeds and
so do not meet farmersapos; needs.

Millions of poor livestock keepers are importing animals, or cross
breeding with imported breeds to get more productive livestock. But
imported breeds need expensive care because they are much less hardy,
and animal deaths are increasing.

There is a danger that many of Africaapos;s indigenous hardy livestock
breeds will disappear, just as climate changes and population growth
is making their hardy traits increasingly important for food security
across the region.

This film tells the story of a unique research and development project
that aims to increase understanding of trypanotolerant livestock and
the people who rear them along with what is needed to improve markets
and processing for livestock products. This information will then be
combined with better feeding and breeding schemes, farmer training and
policy changes to make indigenous animals more profitable for poor
farmers, so that their future use becomes sustainable.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• trypanosomiasis
• trypanosomosis
• cattle
• ndama
• africa
• disease
• genes
• indigenous livestock