Breeding innovations to improve and conserve livestock genetic resources in low input systems: Case of Malawi

Transcription

1 Breeding innovations to improve and conserve livestock genetic resources in low input systems: Case of Malawi By Timothy Gondwe Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) Presented at Researcher Symposium on Animal and Livestock Sciences, Global Research Council Africa Regional Meeting, Livingstone, Zambia November, 2017

2 Aim To present to participants breeding options that can lead to improving livestock while conserving the genetic resources in low input systems

3 Low input systems dominate in Malawi and Sub- Saharan region in terms of livestock numbers and the consuming human population Mostly indigenous or local breeds dominate, constitue around 90 % in this system But their productivity is low and declining And efforts to improve their genetics through crossbreeding has in most cases not produced tangible results

4 Cases of crossbreeding interventions and successes

5 C1: Despite breeding (pure and crossbreeding) and investment efforts, milk yield is static and below 1959 Summary of milk yields from cows ~ which breeding policy to follow? Milk yield per Year of data Project / study Breed of dairy Location day, l SD / SE collection Source of Information PhD Study Mixed Three Milkshed areas Lipita PhD Thesis (2013) BSc study Pure and crosses Mzuzu Chiumia BSc Thesis (2012) HPI MSDDP Holstein - Freisian Mchinji HPI End Term Report (2013) MDDA LoL Holstein - Freisian Mzuzu and Central Region MSA MDDA LoL Final Report (2012) BSc study Crosses Bunda and villages Chaima BSc Thesis (2013) BSc study Holstein - Freisian Mchinji Banda T BSc Thesis (2013) BSc study Mixed Mzuzu 2012Simeza BSc Thesis (2013) MSc study Crosses Chiradzulu - SHIMPA Mwalukomo MSc Thesis (2013) Pure HF Chiradzulu - SHIMPA Mwalukomo MSc Thesis (2013) Malawi Zebu Chiradzulu - SHIMPA Mwalukomo MSc Thesis (2013) MSc study Pure locally bred Lilongwe, Mchinji and Ntchisi Ngwira MSc Thesis Pure exported Lilongwe, Mchinji and Ntchisi Ngwira MSc Thesis British Colonial Office (1960) reported Crosses Lilongwe, Mchinji and Ntchisi Ngwira MSc Thesis MSc study Mixed Lilongwe and Dedza Kawonga MSc Theis Historical Freisian Mikolongwe by J Simpson (AGRVL)

6 C2: In a 10 year dairy goat crossbreeding program in communities, low output observed 3 years after wards (Lungu, 2012) Parameter Measure Value Comments Households benefitted from program % 56 Households that had crosses % 14 Declining prevalence Kids observed by breed being local Proportion of half cross bred kids Proportion of local back crossed kids Proportion of local goats over crosses % 87 % 7.4 % 5.8 Indiscriminate mating taking place % 94 Declining prevalence and non-significant contribution of crossbreeding

7 Number of breeds of chickens kept C3: In local chickens, Black Australorp is used in crossbreeding, but prevalence declines within two years ~ Case of Barilla project in South Malawi Includes all households Only households with chickens Baseline None One Two Local chicken Black Australorp Crosses Local chicken Black Australorp Crosses 50.0% 49.5%.5% 49.5%.7%.2% 99.0% 1.5%.5% Mid term 39.4% 57.2% 3.4% 58.8% 4.6%.6% 97.0% 7.6% 1.0% End of term 48.8% 48.3% 3.0% 50.8% 2.5% 1.0% 99.0% 4.9% 2.0% 1 year after BA introduced 2.5 years after BA introduced

8 A review of livestock programs Show that crossbreeding technology has been commonly implemented in cattle, goats, chickens and to a limited extent, pigs and sheep However, implementation was without framework & structures to maintain the structured crossing protocols Consequently leading to short term gains that are often reversed during subsequent generation of crossing

9 These case examples and static changes in livestock performance subjected to crossbreeding led to

10 Review of breeding strategies for low input systems And the need to establish a framework for implementing the breeding strategies

11 Criteria to identify an appropriate strategy Based on theory of breed and conserve AnGR (FAO and AU-IBAR Goals) As highlighted and with adaptation from FAO, 2010 Refer to Figure 3 on page 70 and Figure 4 on Page 103 And IPC Beneveld, Netherlands While setting targets that match production systems

12 If < 100 % If Yes Criteria to help on choice of a breeding strategy In prospective production environment, is exotic pure or a cross better than local population? Then which exotic breed is best? Yes No Develop local breeds Do selection in local population Can outcross i.e. How much exotic breed is desirable? If 100 % Then is heterosis important? If No Practice Cross breeding Is systematic or sustainable crossbreeding possible? Replace local population Do selection in new breed Develop new breed Do selection in new breed If Yes Crossbreed Do selection in parent populations

13 Based on the criteria, the following are potentially recommended for each species Species Category of class Breeding strategy Justification Recommendation Cattle Dairy Pure exotic breeding Suitable for high level management farms Crossbreeding Structured breeding possible Goats Dual purpose Straight breeding or Systematic crossing not sustained Develop new breed Chickens Dual purpose Straight breeding or Systematic crossing not sustained Develop new breed Need to determine optimal level of crossing Establish CBBP framework Establish CBBP framework Introduce Kuroiler commercialization framework

14 CBBPs provide an appropriate framework for breed development and conservation CBBP Programs in Malawi Support Areas Focus Goats breed improvement USDA ARC AGIN North, Center, South Within breed buck selection Integrate science and community knowledge Training to mitigate inbreeding Beef commercialization Nyama World, a private meat retail co North Crossbreeding Bonsmara with Malawi Zebu Smallholder beef commercialization Nyama World as buyer of weaners Smallholder chicken commercialization InCIP, ilinova and FOM Central Malawi Local chicken development Promote business in village chickens We need more support in promoting these innovations

15 Community Buck selection at a breeding site

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17 Acknowledgement: NCST Zambia and Malawi for invitation and support to attending the conference Thank You Very Much