Characterisation and conservation of animal genetic resources: What is it about?
ILRI, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Livestock are an important part of many smallholder farming systems in tropical countries providing not only meat and milk but also power for land cultivation, manure for improving soil fertility and structure and as a source of fuel, and fibre and hides for clothing. They also are a means of investing cash to be realised in times of need. Farmers around the world use over 4500 breeds or strains of domestic livestock of some 40 or more species. Unfortunately, however, only a handful of these breeds and species account for the vast majority of animal agriculture world-wide. By some accounts, the genetic base of domestic livestock is narrower than that of crops. Farmers in the tropics have, over the past 10,000 to 12,000 years, selected livestock that are able to live and produce under harsh conditions. The resulting breeds have attributes that include resistance to specific diseases, heat tolerance, ability to use poor-quality feeds and ability
