Harnessing husbandry of domestic cavy for alternative and rapid access to food and income in

Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Distribution of cavies in Africa

> Income

> Nutrition

1. Livelihood analysis and strategy development (Output 1)

2. Genetic diversity and animal improvement (Output 2)

3. Improved forages for higher productivity and soil fertility management (Output 3)

4. Capacity building and information gathering and dissemination (Output 4)

Research objectives

Output 1: Livelihood analysis and strategy development

• Activity 1.1. Map, characterize and document production systems in rural and peri-urban environments and determine bottleneck factors for achieving higher productivity

• Activity 1.2. Assess the socio-economic importance of cavies (wealth creation and food security)

• Activity 1.3. Develop husbandry improvement strategies through a participatory process; design alternative systems scenarios by participatory modeling

Output 2: Genetic diversity and animal improvement

• Activity 2.1. Map, characterize and understand genetic diversity among and within populations

• Activity 2.2. Define a breeding population and facilitate use of existing regional or national networks to address inbreeding issues and other bottlenecks (establish breeding populations)

• Activity 2.3. Pilot controlled introduction with selected farmers under strict monitoring (Elite population or improved South American?)

• Activity 2.4. Integrate genetic diversity data with breeding and new husbandry practices to design a sustainable breeding program.

Output 3: Improved forages for higher productivity

• Activity 3.1. Assess available forages, feed resources and typical feeding practices

• Activity 3.2. Identify spatial/temporal niches for utilization of improved forages in production systems; assess farmer acceptability of forage production.

• Activity 3.3. Produce forage seeds/propagation materials with farmers.

• Activity 3.4. Determine cavy acceptability of new forages as well as production and reproduction under improved feeding practices.

Output 4: Capacity building and information dissemination

• Activity 4.1. Review, compile and publish available knowledge on cavy culture from Africa

• Activity 4.2. Access and transfer of available knowledge of practices and resources from South America to improve cavy culture in Africa

• Activity 4.3. Develop linkages with government agencies, NGO, farmers’ groups for training of key stakeholders on improved methods of cavy culture (Cavy innovation platform)

• Activity 4.4. Organize workshops: inception of the project among key partners; final to assess achievements and define future research and developments needs

No.

Output + Activity Aug - Dec 2011

Jan - June 2012

July - Dec 2012

Jan - June 2013

July - Dec 2013

1 Output 1: Livelihood analysis and strategy development [Led by Univ. Dschang together with CIAT]

1.1 Map, characterize and document production systems in rural and peri-urban environments and identify constraint/ bottlenecks to achieving higher productivity.

X XXX

1.2 Characterize current production systems in rural and peri-urban environments to identify constraints/ bottlenecks for achieving higher productivity, marketability and consumption.

XXX XXX X X

1.3 Study cavy market value chain(s) from producer to trader and consumer.

XXX

1.4 Establish Cavy Innovation platforms and ensure their sustainability.

XXX XX X X

1.5 Assess the socio-economic and cultural importance of cavy for wealth creation among women and youth, and determine household nutrition security.

XX XX X

2Output 2: Genetic diversity and animal improvement [Led by BecA together with Univ. Dschang]

2.1 Map (geo-reference), characterize and understand genetic diversity among and within cavy populations by applying molecular markers

X XXX XX

2.2 Define breeding populations and facilitate use of existing regional or national networks to address inbreeding issues

XXX XX X

2.3 Pilot controlled introduction (promotion) of new (elite) breeds with selected farmers under very strict monitoring system.

X XXX XX

2.4 Integrate genetic diversity data with breeding information and performance, and new husbandry practices (incl. feeding) to design a sustainable cavy production system.

XX XXX XXX

No. Output + Activity Aug - Dec 2011

Jan - June 2012

July - Dec 2012

Jan - June 2013

July - Dec 2013

3 Output 3: Improved forages for higher productivity [Led by CIAT together with Univ. Dschang]

3.1 Assess and document existing feed resources and typical feeding practices; produce feeding calendars throughout the year. Compare with existing data on nutritional requirements for cavies from literature review

XX XXX XXX

3.2 Identify spatial/temporal niches in production systems to utilize improved forages; perform participatory variety selection with farmers.

XX XXX XXX XX

3.3 Produce vegetative propagation materials of forages with farmers (grasses, legumes).

XX XXX XXX XX

3.4 Determine acceptability and utility of new feeding materials (e.g., tree/shrub leaves) for cavies.

XXX XXX XXX

No.

Output + Activity Aug - Dec 2011

Jan - June 2012

July - Dec 2012

Jan - June 2013

July - Dec 2013

4 Output 4: Capacity building, and information gathering and dissemination [Led by BecA together with Univ. Dschang]

4.1 Review, compile, synthesize and publish available knowledge on cavy culture from Africa.

XXX XXX

4.2 Access, transfer and disseminate available knowledge of practices and resources from South America to improve cavy culture in Africa.

XXX XXX XXX

4.3 Train and assist in training of researchers, students and extension staff in molecular breeding; tropical forage husbandry and seed systems/vegetative propagation; and improved methods of cavy culture.

XXX XXX XXX XXX

4.4 Capacity build stakeholders in the Cavy Innovation platform establishment and processes.

XXX XX X X

4.5 Organize workshops: inception WS of the project among key partners; final WS to assess achievements and define future research and development needs.

XXX XXX

No.

Output + Activity Aug - Dec 2011

Jan - June 2012

July - Dec 2012

Jan - June 2013

July - Dec 2013

2011Progress

1) Genetic diversity

> Assemble reagents for genetic diversity study of cavies

> Challenge fund to Kouakou Parfait (Cote d’Ivoire)

> 140 cavies sampled from 7 regions of Cote d’Ivoire

> 16 SSRs (Kanitz et al. 2006) used for diversity study

> To date 14 SSRs are working, and genotyping is ongoing

2011 - Progress (cont’d)2) Inception workshop (Cameroon Nov 1 – 4, 2011)

> Update on ongoing activities at partners institutions (BecA Hub, CIAT, UEA/DRC, HPI, Min of Livestock-CMR, HPI-CMR, farmers’ voice-CMR)

> Review of cavies project outputs (suggestions made to be used for the refinement of the project implementation plan)

2012 - Progress

- Preparation and finalization of all projects contracts and payments of first installments

- Preparation of the questionnaire for data collection

- Preparation and submission of documents for the ethical clearance by CSIRO

- Recent trip to Cameroon (April 11 – 18, 2012)- Review and activities and schedule their

implementation- Alignment of students’ (06 students) project

with general projects activities- Innovation Platform engagement meeting- Review of financial management

2012 – ProgressCameroon

Purpose of this trip (DRC)- Review and activities and schedule their

implementation- Alignment of students’ project with general

projects activities- Review the recent test of questionnaire- Plan for data collection- Engagement meeting for the innovation

platform - Review of financial management

The team1) BecA – ILRI Hub, Nairobi, Kenya

Appolinaire Djikeng, Project LeaderOkeyo Mwai, Geneticist and animal breederFrancis Wamonje, Genomics and Genetics lab technician

2) University of Dschang, CameroonFelix Meutchieye, Lecturer, breeding and production systems Aziwo Tatanja Niba, Senior Lecturer, Nutrition and production systemsDorothy Engwali Fon, Senior Lecturer, agri issues and farm businesses Manjeli Yacouba, Dean, Professor of Animal Science

3) CIATWanjiku Chiuri, Socioeconomist, Rwanda/DRC Brigitte Maass, Forage Agronomist, Kenya/DRC

4) Universite Evangelique en Afrique, DRCPascal Ishumbisho, Dean, Biologist, Limnology, Fisheries and AquacultureRodrigue Ayagirwe, Junior Lecturer, Improvement of cavies

MerciThank you

Cavy Innovation Platform

Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D)

Innovation Platforms are the platforms for delivering Integrated Agricultural Research for Development (IAR4D) strategy that has proved to be useful in creating wealth and livelihoods through organized and improved market access and improved natural resources management.

An Innovation Platform

IP membershipWho participates in the IP

– Farmers are the key in an IP-the goal is to address their concerns, challenges, needs, problems and opportunity surrounding a commodity-Cavies in this case;

– Traders who participate in linking farmers to the markets;– Processors-these would include hotel and restaurants proprietors who

use Cavis for meat;– Government dept of Agriculture/livestock; Gender and youth; min of

health and others depending on their interests;– Credit Institutions that can led money to any of the chain actors

including farmers– Research institutions and NGOs that can support the value chain.NB: The IP meeting is for all the above in one sitting where issues raised

by the farmers are addressed. At the end of the day, this is a win-win strategy. Strategies are addressed and interventions are given in time.

Cavy Innovation Platform

GovernmentPOLICY-makers

Producers:Women

Private Sector Farmers groups

Extension Agencies/NGOs

Researchers and Research institutions

Traders/Transporters/ Processors

04/20/23 23

communication

Slide prepared by Wanjiku