This open access book is a rich resource that chronicles the abundant livestock genetic resources in Africa. Organized in five sections, the chapters trace special productive and adaptive attributes of African livestock breeds, past breed improvement efforts, capacity building and strategies to effective utilization of available genetic resources in the era of modern technologies. The authors cover major farm animal groups as well as dromedaries, rabbits and grasscutters.

In view of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (in particular SDG 2, Zero Hunger, and SDG 15, Life on Land), the purpose of this volume is to catalogue opportunities that can be leveraged with available technologies and technical knowhow for achieving rapid genetic gain and improved livestock productivity in Africa. It fosters the utilization of genetic resources and the protection of indigenous livestock biodiversity.

Natural selection and humans have generated genetically diverse breeds of domesticated farm animals which can significantly contribute to the livelihoods of millions of Africans today. Africa's indigenous livestock are particularly hardy and well-adapted to local production contexts, having evolved adaptations to the continent's diverse climatic conditions and environmental pressures. In spite of the wealth of desirable genetic traits, however, some of Africa's iconic and lesser-known livestock are disappearing at an alarming rate. Moreover, despite increasing recognition of what this diversity portends, little has been done to understand and optimally harness the full potential of these genetic resources.

By combining scientific basis and practical instructions, this work is a valuable manual for a diverse readership, including students, researchers, livestock farmers, livestock and non-governmental organizations, policy makers and business professionals who want to understand the uniqueness of African livestock genetic resources, production systems and strategies for sustainable improvement for the African environment.

This book is open access, which means that you have free and unlimited access Highlights the rich genetic resources of livestock breeding in Africa Gives a practical perspective on feasible breeding strategies Encompasses genetic characterization, gene editing, reproductive and genomic technologies in livestock

Autorentext

Dr. Ibeagha-Awemu is a Research Scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and adjunct professor at Laval University, Canada. With over 30 years of research and teaching experiences spanning Africa, Europe and North America, she has established national and international reputation for her research in animal genomics and epigenomics. Her research leverages omics and emerging technologies to decipher the contributions of genomic variation to phenotypic outcome in livestock health, production and environmental adaptation; as well as in developing the emerging field of Cellular Agriculture. Her interests and body of work, including authorship/co-authorship of numerous scientific communications and invited presentations, have supported research development, capacity building and the mentoring of the next generation of professionals. She participated/chaired many professional committees and expert consultancy panels, and her leadership contributions include being the President of the Canadian Society of Animal Science. She holds an MSc degree in animal breeding and genetics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria and a PhD degree in Genomics from Justus Leibig University, Giessen, Germany.

Sunday Peters is a professor of animal science at Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia, USA. His teaching includes genetics of domestic animals, poultry systems and management, and swine systems and management. He conducts research at the interface of quantitative and molecular genetics using machine learning, neural networks and omics technologies to decipher the architecture of reproductive, growth and carcass traits in domestic animals. Prior to Berry College, he worked as a postdoctoral research associate at Cornell University in departments of animal science and biomedical sciences. Professor Peters teaching and research experiences spanned Africa, Asia and North America. His body of work consists of numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and referred proceedings and presentations at national and international conferences. He holds PhD degrees in molecular biology from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, USA and in quantitative genetics and animal breeding from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Professor Djikeng is the 4th Director General of the Africa-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), a global science leader with focus on agricultural development, human health, animal health and environmental health. Prior to ILRI and the CGIAR, Professor Djikeng was Director of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) and based at the Roslin Institute, was Professor and Chair for Tropical Agriculture and Sustainable Development at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Professor Djikeng has long standing interests and experience in research management and institutional development in academia and in international not for profit institutions in Africa, Europe and North America. Professor Djikeng has impacted scientific advancement through the training of professionals and scientific outputs in the form of peer reviewed journal publications and book chapters, and invited presentations to audiences in many countries. Professor Djikeng serves/chairs numerous science advisory boards. He holds an MSc degree in Biology from the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon and a PhD degree in Genomics from Brunel University London, UK.

Professor Rege is the founder and CEO of Emerge Centre for Innovations-Africa (ECIAfrica). He holds an MSc in Animal Science (Breeding) and PhD in Genetics from the University of California, Davis, and a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. With over 40 years of experience in teaching, research, and agricultural development across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, Ed previously served as a senior lecturer at the University of Nairobi and subsequently joined the International Livestock Research Institute (previously the International Livestock Centre for Africa, ILCA) where he initiated the Animal Genetic Resources program, which he led for many years, before being appointed the Director of ILRI's Global Biotechnology Program (covering animal health, animal nutrition, and genetics). Following his retirement from ILRI, Prof Rege retrained in organizational development and has used these skills in supporting agricultural and rural development institutions, especially in Africa, to develop capacities and tools for helping them improve delivery on their mandates and missions. Prof Rege has authored or co-authored numerous scientific communications (peer-reviewed articles, technical papers in conference proceedings and book chapters).

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Chapter 1. An overview of African livestock genetic resources and improvement strategies.- Chapter 2. African livestock production systems: The past, present and the projected future.- Chapter 3. The history, geography, and characteristics of indigenous African Taurine cattle.- Chapter 4. The history, geography and characteristics of African Zebu, Zebu-Taurine derivatives, and well-established exotic cattle breeds.- Chapter 5. African Goat Genetic Resources, Diversity and Unique Features.- Chapter 6. African Sheep Genetic Resources, Diversity and Unique Features.- Chapter 7. African domestic poultry genetic resources, diversity, and unique features.- Chapter 8. Pig genetic resources of Africa.- Chapter 9. African dromedary genetic resources, diversity and breeding systems.- Chapter 10. African donkey genetic resources, diversity, and breedin…