Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Mobilizing biosciences for Africa’s development
Harnessing the Genetic Diversity of Goats to Improve Productivity in Africa
This document is licensed for use under a Crea3ve Commons A6ribu3on-‐Noncommercial-‐Share Alike 3.0 Unported License May 2013
BecA-ILRI Hub, ILRI, University of Dschang
Exploring Eastern and Central African Goat Gene3c landscape Goats are extremely diverse in their appearance and the ecosystems they occupy.
We are interroga8ng this diversity at DNA level to a high resolu8on enabled by
modern DNA and geo-‐spa8al analysis tools. DNA samples collected from goats
adapted to hot humid, cool highlands, or hot dry ecological zones in both
Cameroon and Ethiopia will be studied for genome signatures consistent with
adapta8on to their na8ve biophysical environments. We will also explore the
diversity of African wild ibexes (e.g. Nubian Ibex) and their possible contribu8on to
African domes8c goat gene pool. These analysis will contribute to and benefit from
other goat gene8c diversity studies such as the African Genome improvement
Network (AGIN) and the ADAPTmap.
Figure A: Approximate distribu8on of Ethiopian goat popula8ons based on morphological characters. Details of special aMributes of each popula8on can be found can be found at DAGRIS: hMp://dagris.ilri.cgiar.org
Breeding for Reproduc3ve Efficiency Goat produc8on systems that are predominantly geared towards meat produc8on
which necessarily demand high animal turnover and so does that deliver mul8ple
kids are economically desirable. The West African dwarf goats commonly give
birth to three, even four kids per birth (pictured below with four kids) and so they
are a good resource to discover factors that control reproduc8ve efficiency.
High fecundity rate in West African Dwarf goats is may be under gene8c control, as
seen in sheep, and therefore amenable to gene8c interven8on. We will aMempt to
iden8fy the gene8c basis of high fecundity rates in goats and develop DNA marker
systems, or other means, to facilitate its introduc8on in other popula8ons where it
is economically impera8ve.
A typical West African Dwarf doe with four kids. This picture was taken in a goat market in Cameroon. The en8re set was bought for $300. Photo by Felix Meutchieye.
Goats Ma6er Goats are important but oWen undervalued component of the live stock-‐mix in the dominant farming systems in Africa. They are found in the dry lands where they
graze extensively in mixed herds with caMle and or sheep or alone. Goats are also
kept in small tethered flocks in small holder systems in mixed farming. Goats
provide, meat, milk and income. Consequently Goats are an important rung in
climbing ladder for nutri8onal and financial security and liquidity.
The project aims to use innova8on pla[orm to iden8fy and respond to challenges
in the goat produc8on value chain in Ethiopia and Cameroon. The main focus
being on gene8c improvement, effec8ve management of goat breeding and health
and make the marke8ng of goat products more effec8ve in improving the incomes
of farmers.
Project Focus The principal research focus of this project is to improve profitability of goats by
promo3ng innova3ons in the goat value chain; promo8ng use of produc3ve and
adapted goat genotypes; and reducing the nega8ve environmental impacts the
rumen handicap.
Key research ac3vi3es 1. Innova8on pla[orm and community based breeding in Cameroon and
Ethiopia
2. Gene8c characteriza8on of goat popula8ons in central and eastern Africa –
Ethiopia, Cameroon, The Sudan, South Sudan and Tanzania.
3. Explore the poten8al of African wild ibexes for conserva8on and produc8on.
4. Decipher the role of rumen microbial diversity and func8on in goat
produc8on efficiency.
Project Countries
Affiliate countries
1. Next genera8on on animal breeders – 3 PhD and 6 MSc Students in Ethiopia and Cameroon. 2. Gene8c makers to aid breeding, and biological insight into adap8ve traits and reproduc8on of goats. 3. Transforma8ve tools and processes to that add value to the goat value chain.
Outputs:
