Livestock and Fish breeding better farm animals and fish for developing countries

Last month, animal geneticists and breeders discussed ways forward for livestock and fish breeding in the developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America in an Animal Genetics flagship of the CGIAR Research Program on Livestock and Fish, which held a virtual review and planning meeting 23–26 March 2015. Continue reading →

Improved reproductive techniques enable effective use of superior rams in Ethiopia’s community-based sheep breeding programs

Genetic improvement of small ruminants has been identified as a “best bet” in Ethiopia’s highland areas. As part of the Livestock and Fish small ruminant value chain development activities in Ethiopias, community-based breeding programs established through an earlier project (located in Horro, Menz, Bonga and Abergelle) were strengthened and new ones were established in Atsbi and Doyogena. Continue reading →

Sheep and goat research in Ethiopia: PhD and MSc theses supported by Livestock and Fish program

The Livestock and Fish program combines a focus on value chain development in a few target countries with ‘technology’ research on animal feeding, genetics and health. In Ethiopia, this has led to support for academic research grounded in the value chain needs identified in recent years. Continue reading →

Community-based sheep improvement – research helps breed strong rural communities in Ethiopia

A community in Mena, Ethiopia, is running a community-based breeding project with their sheep. After 5 years, researchers are seeing positive results in terms of people’s livelihods and income, collective efforts, community empowerment, and the quality of the local sheep. Continue reading →

Performance of indigenous sheep breeds managed under community-based breeding programs in Ethiopia

The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), and partners from the National Agricultural Research System are supporting community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) in Ethiopia. This project report provides preliminary results in terms of the reproductive performance of indigenous sheep breeds kept under CBBPs, the effects of non-genetic factors on the performance of the sheep breeds in Ethiopia and overall progress in institutionalizing CBBPs. Continue reading →

Improving Nicaragua’s dual-purpose livestock production through better breeds

The Livestock and Fish program team recently held an exchange with Nicaragua’s Ministry of Agriculture to discuss the country’s situation regarding livestock genetics and traceability efforts, and to identify points of collaboration through the ‘Better Breeds project’. The Better Breeds project, which began this September, aims to improve livestock traceability, intensify productivity, and increase farmers’ … Continue reading →

Aquaculture conference showcases latest technologies

One of the largest aquaculture and aquarium shows in Asia, Aqua Aquaria India 2013, was recently held in Vijayawada, AndhraPradesh, India, from 8 – 10 February. Hosted by the Marine Products Export Development Authority of the Government of India (MPEDA), the event showcased the latest production and marketing technologies in aquaculture and ornamental fish culture … Continue reading →

Austria funds Livestock and Fish project to increase the productivity of dual-purpose cattle in Nicaragua

In December 2012, the Austrian Development Agency approved a three-year research project from ILRI, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), CIAT and the National Agricultural University of Nicaragua (UNA) on ‘increasing the productivity of dual-purpose cattle in Nicaragua — More milk and meat through better breeds.’ This is a particularly strategic … Continue reading →

Characterizing goat genetic resources in Ethiopia

On 20 and 21 December 2012, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) ran a training course for national partners and collaborators on methods and approaches for phenotypic characterization of animal genetic resources. “For genetic resources to contribute to food security goals, we need … Continue reading →

Multiplying and disseminating improved fish breeds to farmers

A new working paper from WorldFish argues that the availability of genetically more productive fish stock “must progress hand in hand” with refinements in the production systems in which the fish will reared and marketed. The authors indicate there is much “documented evidence about the success of selective breeding in several species,” however they argue … Continue reading →