An Overview of Management of Animal Genetic Resources in Botswana

Transcription

1 An Overview of Management of Animal Genetic Resources in Botswana AU-IBAR Inception Workshop on African Animal Genetic Resources April 2013 Abidjan, Cote d voire By T.K. Phillemon-Motsu Director, Department of Animal Production Botswana 1

2 Background Conservation of Farm Animal Genetic Resources: Refers to all human activities, such as strategies, plans, policies, and actions, undertaken to ensure the diversity of farm animal genetic resources is maintained to contribute to food & agricultural production now & in the future - FAO,1999. Animal Genetic Resources (AnGRs) All animal populations, species, breeds, strains of economic interest to agriculture at present or in the future, that is, wild, feral, landraces, standardized breeds, selected & any conserved materials. FAO,1999 2

3 Why Conserve AnGRs? In Botswana livestock is an important source of food and provides income, employment and investment opportunities for the majority of people in rural areas. Botswana is also a semi-arid country However, indigenous breeds are adapted Threats to existence of indigenous breeds: Indiscriminate crossbreeding, drought, livestock diseases such as CBPP, FMD, NCD. 3

4 National AnGR Programmes/ Projects Government of Botswana Project on Conservation of Indigenous Livestock Species. The project is budgeted for in the National Development Plan A SADC Regional Project on Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources The project was initiated in 1999 and funded jointly by SADC, FAO and UNDP Botswana is a member of FAO s Inter- Governmental Technical Working Group for AnGR (ITWG-AnGR) 4

5 AnGR Stakeholders Involvement National Priorities for AnGR were identified by Stakeholders, Sept under FAO /UNDP/SADC Project 15 member National Advisory Committee on FAnGRs appointed The Department of Agricultural Research (DAR) in the Ministry of Agriculture was appointed the National Focal Point (Regional Focal Point Pretoria) (Global Focal Point - Rome.) 5

6 Activities Identified at the 1999 W/shop Breed surveys and establishment of a data base Characterization of indigenous species Development of National Training plans on FAnGRs work Initiate the development of livestock recording schemes 6

7 National Priorities (cont) The need for legislation on conservation & sustainable use of animal genetic resources Need for legislation on GMOs & Biosafety The need to revise obsolete legislation such the Stud Book 7

8 AnGR Achievements : Awareness on AnGRs has been and continues to be created Local & international networking has been established Guidelines on the Development of National and Regional Policy on AnGR were developed by SADC Project Some capacity in the form of provision of equipment and staff training has been built 8

9 AnGR Achievements cont d A survey on Indigenous pigs is complete Physical characterization of species such as goats, sheep, chickens, pigs has been done Breed Standards for Tswana sheep & Goats have been developed Molecular characterization cattle, goats, sheep and chickens is complete. Material Transfer Agreement Form has been developed 9

10 AnGR Achievements Cont d A Field Guide for livestock breeds in Botswana was developed 2003 Local material on AnGR assembled for SADC virtual library National Biodiversity Strategy & Action Plan Contributed to the State of the Environment Report 10

11 Botswana AnGR Gene Bank

12 Botswana AnGR Gene Bank Animal Genetic Resources Centre uses: Cryo-preservation of germplasm (DNA, tissues, semen, oocytes, embryoes) Undertake reproductive physiology work (semen preservation, hormonal profiling, ET) Undertake DNA work Test for genetic abnormalities Form part of the national bio banking: AI centre Parentage testing Livestock forensics/ GMO testing

13 Key Equipment DNA Sequencer (Genetic Analyser) 3130 High Performance Liquid Chromotography (HPLC) UV/Vis Spectrophotometer PCR Machines, Thermo cyclers, ELISA Gene 5 Absorbance Micro-plate reader Vortex Centrifuges, Electrophoresis equipment, Ultra low freezers, Ice Crusher Laboratory Ovens, autoclaves Microscopes (4), Balances Power shot Canon Camera A 640 Cryo-Tanks, portable nitrogen tanks

14 Policies and Legislation governing the use of Animal Genetic Resources: 1. Livestock Improvement Act of Livestock and Meat Industries Act of Diseases of Animals Act CAP 37:01 4. Veterinary Surgeons Act of Branding of Cattle Act of 1962 provides for identification of cattle 6. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 7. Regulations on Animal Traceability 8. National Policy on Agricultural Development Guidelines on development of a National Policy on Farm Animal Genetics Resources 10. A Policy on GMOs is currently being developed. 14

15 Stakeholders in Management of AnGR The Ministry of Agriculture Other Ministries and government departments Breeders and commodity Associations The Botswana Meat Commission 15

16 THANK YOU!!! Tswana Control! Tswana Select!!!! Boteti!! Central!!!!! Kgalagadi +---6!!! Chobe !!! Afrikaner !!! Tuli Figure 1. Dendrogram (based on Nei's (1978) Genetic distance ) for all the Tswana populations and Reference breeds --9!! Brahman! Simmental 16