Background

A lack of knowledge of the physical and performance characteristics of indigenous farm animal genetic resources in countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the extent of existing genetic diversity has, through pressures to increase production, led to the underutilisation, dilution and replacement of these resources through crossbreeding with 'specialised' exotic breeds. In order to obtain better knowledge of existing livestock breeds and the management thereof, FAO, together with ILRI, planned a series of surveys to gather this information across the Southern African Development Co-operation (SADC) region.

The overall objectives of the surveys were to obtain estimates of livestock population size and distribution of farm animal breed resources, as well as to determine management/production and socio-cultural practices employed by farmers in raising these animals. The plan was to use such surveys as a platform for subsequent simple, regular updating of breed information. With the information gained the idea was that countries would be able to: