The State of Arab Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD)

Transcription

1 The State of Arab Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD)

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3 The State of Arab Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Most Arab countries are located in the arid and semi arid zones. The farm animal resources have been accompanied with the development of the human activities and in parallel to the civilization and culture establishments in most Arab countries. Current studies showed that the domesticating of most ruminant species, sheep, goat and normal cattle has occurred in the south west of Asia and precisely in the fertile crescent area which is known as the center of diversity of many domesticated animals. Arab countries have a huge animal wealth in terms of numbers and species- specific animal diversity. FAO in 2003 indicated that the number of sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo camel, horses and donkeys are 157.3, 89.6, 59.2, 3.6, 12.6, 31.24, and million heads, respectively in the Arab countries. Farm animal resources are assimilated by 38 breeds of sheep and 54 of goat breeds, and 38 of camel breeds, and most of these breeds are adapted with dry environmental conditions. In addition, there are 22 breeds of cattle, and 9 breeds of horses, and 3 breeds of buffalo. In spite of this big number of farm animal genetic resources in Arab countries, their productivity of meat and milk is considered sub average or low due to no significant genetic improvement programs, poor production systems, and the mismanagement of natural resources especially the water and range lands which in turn have caused many socio economic problems for the local communities and reflected on the limited income people. Local farm animal reservation has become one of the most important priorities in the world. This has become more clear since FAO prepared the first report on Global Farm Animal Genetic Resource Which is going to be presented at the Presidential International Conference in However, most Arab countries "except Gulf countries" had participated in this national report. ACSAD had attended in The regional workshop on AnGR held in ICARDA, Oct., 05 and it has been nominated to as a member in Steering Committee for Regional Focal Point. The results of that workshop included motivating and enhancing those participated country's governments to take the required procedures to conserve In Situ or Ex -1-

4 Situ the Arab local farm animal genetic resources and indicated to the necessity of making national and regional plans for maintaining the local decadent breeds, and genetically improving them and increasing their number, and then redistributing them to take their normal role as major biodiversity components in sustainable development strategies. ACSAD has conducted many studies, activities and research on farm animal biodiversity in Arab countries. It published 20 encyclopedias on animal wealth in the Arab countries, 2 encyclopedias Arab sheep and goat breeds, one encyclopedia on Arab buffalo and another one on Antelopes, gazelles and Deers, and an index of cattle husbandry in Arab countries. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce ACSAD and summarize the objective and its achievements concerning the Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) -2-

5 Introduction: The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (ACSAD) was established by the League of the Arab States in ACSAD's main objectives include survey and evaluation of resources, conducting regional researches and studies management of biodiversity in arid zones and dry lands. In addition, emphasis is directed towards training and the exchange of knowledge and experiences. ACSAD has an active cooperation with many regional and international organizations and research institutes with similar activities. It is implementing its research and development programs through five departments. Department of Animal Wealth as one of these departments Was established in 1971 to attain the following objectives: A. Survey and evaluation of animal feed resources in the Arab countries. B. Conducting basic and applied studies to serve the development of animal and feed production in the arid and semi arid zones. Genetic improvement of local breeds (sheep, goat, camel, etc )and conservation of animal diversity. Studying the animal feed requirements. Improving the systems of animal production, feeding and management. Studying the problems of animal nutrition and feeding in dry and semi dry zones. Development of livestock-rangeland and management systems. Improvement of the reproductive efficiency of animals. Studying the socio-economic factors that affect animal production, ecological balance and the efficiency of utilization of the natural resources. Studying the problems affecting the efficiency of veterinary services. C. Conservation of the animal genetic resources and their environments. D. Training of scientific and technical cadres in the fields of animal sciences. E. Cooperation and coordination with the Arab and International Organizations having the same objectives. -3-

6 F. Documenting, publishing and disseminating scientific and technical information. The Camel Applied Research and Development Network (CARDN) was established in February 1991 within the framework of close cooperation between (ACSAD), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the French Government and the concerned countries. The scope of CARDN includes countries in Asia and Africa where the camel is of economical or of special importance. The main objectives of CARDN are to: assist national research systems to improve and generate (and assist in the adoption of) appropriate technologies in order to ensure sustainable resource use and enable long-term of camelbased production systems, assist with the identification of problem areas, promote networking where appropriate and seek financial support for its successful operations, ensure that research results are applied where applicable, and document and disseminate research results. -4-

7 1- Activities and achievements of ACSAD: since its establishment in 1971, ACSAD has achieved a real progress by attracting the distinguished Arab experts and establishment of profound cooperation with the Ministries of Agriculture and official agencies in the Arab Countries. Therefore, it was adopted by the Arab League, International sponsor agencies and foundations and official bodies in the Arab Countries to conduct and carryout studies and implement projects in various fields. So CARDN was established within the framework of collaboration between ACSAD, IFAD, IsDB, French Government, Arab and non Arab Countries where camel raising is important. ACSAD was also authorized by the Arab League to supervise and manage the biodiversity and environment conservation project, document the available information of biodiversity, and setup an information system form that can facilitate communication and dissemination of information between the Arab Countries, and the regional and international organizations as well. 1-1 Scientific Studies and Research Breeding Projects Genetic Improvement of Awassi Sheep by selection ( ). Producing of Improved Rams ( ). Genetic and Environmental Improvement for Sheep and Goat ( ). Improvement of Yemeni Sheep ( ). Improvement of Productive Characteristics for desert Sudani Sheep ( ). Improvement of Meat Production by Crossing between local and exotic breeds ( , ). Improvement of Productivity of Small Ruminants (1992 up to date). The project includes the Awassi sheep in Syria Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan, Tunisian sheep in Tunis, Algerian sheep in Algeria and Barki sheep in Egypt. The project aims at: Improving the productivity of sheep and goat in the Arab countries. -5-

8 Studying the productive capacity for local animals, improving the genetic and environmental factors and improving the reproductive efficiency for improved animals. Producing of genetically improved rams at the research centers to be distributed to the national flocks. Improving of management, nutrition, health care and production. Training the Arab professionals on advanced technologies of breeding and reproduction. Evaluation of animal performance. Project of studying the possibility of improving the local cattle breeds in the Arab Countries. The project aimed at: Exploring the potentiality of local cattle breeds in the Arab Countries. Studying the production systems for cattle breeds under different environmental conditions. Application of advanced technologies for improving the reproductive efficiency and genetic compositions. Training the professionals in the Arab countries on management systems of cattle flocks under different productions systems. The project was requested by the General Assembly of ACSAD, several studies were conducted about cattle breeds in Sultanate of Oman, Iraq and Yemen. Suggested project for improving the Arabic horses in the Arab Countries Project for Studying systems and economics of animal production in the pastoral areas. Started in 1996 in Syria and Sudan. In this project the prevailing animal production systems were studied under various environmental zones. The project aimed at: -6-

9 Exploring the systems and economics of animal production over different environmental zones in the Arab Countries. Development of the traditional production systems. Application of the most appropriate technique for improving the national flocks. Planning for sustainable development in the pastoral areas Camel Applied Research and Development Network (CARDN) Within the framework of CARDN, ACSAD established a special unit for documenting the camel researches, and the periodical camel newsletter in Arabic, English and French languages in addition to Journal of Camel Science. CARDN was extended from (1996-) to ( ). Achievements: The economical and social studies conducted by CARDN have pointed out that camel sector is poor and marginalized, and faces many difficulties as lack of water points, degradation of natural pastures and spread of diseases. The studies also indicated that the camel is the most efficient animal in arid zones. Formed a national research and development committee for camel in each member country. Contributed in the establishment of a division for camel in the ministries of agriculture, as well as a division for camel research at the national research centers in the member countries. Contributed to the establishment of international association for camel producers and shepherds aims at participation of producers and shepherds in decision making. Following up the activities of CARDN for camel development. Contributed in increasing knowledge about camel production, economical and social issues of camel holders, breeding, feeding, health care and processing of products. -7-

10 promoted 42 researches and 17 laboratories in the member countries, and secured 4 laboratories for artificial insemination and embryo transfer, and 4 mobile veterinary units for camel health care to be used in the pastoral areas of four member counties. published the first basic studies in the world concerning camel nutrition fattening and feed requirements, and its role in the new farming systems and feeding on the agricultural residues. Published the first basic studies about the most important camel diseases. Published several studies on camel marketing in the member countries. Established of basic studies on camel milk, and artificial insemination and embryo transfer and others. Held 38 symposiums and workshops and 12 training courses and participated to 44 conference, symposium, workshops and training courses that organized by other agencies Studies carried out in the field of animal nutrition: Survey and evaluation of feed resources in the Arab Countries (22 parts). Evaluation of grazing shrubs. Grazing performance. Feed habits and grazing performance for camel, sheep, goat and cattle. Classification of grazing plants in the rangeland over four seasons. Estimation of nutritive interaction between animal kinds. Grazing efficiency of ruminants. Introducing the sheep into ley farming systems and studying its performance for meat and milk production. Feed requirements for Awass sheep. -8-

11 1-1-5 Project of Conservation of animal genetic resources in the Arab Countries. ACSAD was authorized to conducted supervise this project. The studies of rapid appraisal for genetic animal resources carried out by ACSAD in the Arab Countries have pointed out that local animals have got high potentialities for production, but these might have not been well explored. Accordingly most of the Arab countries have applied crossing or graduation with exotic breeds for improving the potentiality of local breeds, where such producers my decrease their population and generate new problems. The studies of ACSAD indicated that such programs are associated with risk, and threaten the local animals with extinction. In recognition to the necessity of taking an urgent action towards conserving the animals exposed to extinction, ACSAD made serious efforts and provided all available information for implementing a special project for conservation and development of wild and domestic animals in the Arab Countries. The project aimed at the following: Conserving the genetic resources of local animals. Establishment of research stations for conserving the degraded animals or those threatened with extinction. establishment of high potential breeds. within the frame of the project in the Arab Countries. The following encyclopedias were published: Arab Sheep Breeds. Animal Wealth in the Arab Countries (20 parts). Egyptian Sheep Breeds. Goat Breeds in the Arab Countries. Guide of cattle care. The encyclopedias include various information on the productive and morphological characteristics of local animals, systems of production, feed resources, feeding methods, prevailing diseases, and the national plans for sustainable development. -9-

12 2 Education, training and extension The training component is a vital task for national capacity building. So, ACSAD held hundreds of training, educational and extension courses in the Arab Countries and still holds training courses and demonstrative fields for various programs and projects sponsored by governments or donors (such as FAO, IFAD and IsDB). The activities of ACSAD extends also to some Islamic and African countries of South West Asia beside the Arab Countries. Furthermore there is a profound relationship between ACSAD and the Agricultural and veterinary faculties and research centers in most of Arab Countries. There is also full coordination for conducting researches and studies and supervising post graduate studies (Ma, PhD) in animal production field. -10-

13 3 Documentation and Publication ACSAD has a library specialized in the studies of Arid and semi arid zones, and contains more than books and publications including the references of animal wealth. A documentation center was established in participation with CARIS and AGRIS, and in collaboration with FAO. further unit for camel studies was also established. Numerous scientific studies, publications and reports concerning ACSAD activities are issued annually. So far more than three hundred studies and scientific papers in animal production fields were published. The publications are usually distributed to the Arab Agriculture Ministries, the participated and cooperated agencies, research centers, universities and concerned bodies in the Arab and foreign countries. -11-

14 4- The present and future Activities, and contributions of ACSAD in the preparation of scientific report on the state of animal genetic resources in the world (WoAnGR): Most of national reports regarding the state of animal genetic resources in the Arab Countries depend mainly on the information of ACSAD. As the General Assembly of ACSAD consists of the Ministers for Agriculture, its contributions in the future will be assured for implementing the programs and projects that are suggested by the regional reports "as priorities" in regard to the following: a)conservation of animal genetic resources, b) Development of production by genetic selection, c) improving the quality of animal products and d) consequently improving the social and economical situation of the rural families in the arid and semi arid zones. In this context, ACSAD is now in the process of exploring the possibility of extending its activities towards including further projects for conserving and improving other local important animals such as Arab horses which may need financial assistance from international sponsor agencies. The project implicates the use of advanced technologies for conserving the Arab horses, on research stations (Ex situ) and on fields (in situ) and in genetic banks for conserving the germ plasma or embryos (in vitro). -12-