Unlocking livestock development potential through science, influence and capacity development ILRI APM, Addis Ababa, 15-17 May 2013 Genetic improvement of Sheep under changing environmental conditions This document is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported Lisence May 2013 Ojango J.M.K, Audho J. O., Marete A.G., Zonabend E., Philipsson J., and Okeyo A.M. Opportunities • High export demand for sheep products-unmet • Unpredictable changes in climatic conditions • Great genetic variability in existing sheep populations • Emerging ICT platforms for information processing and exchange • A new generation of players and actors What can livestock keepers do Who else can contribute What can breeding do National and international research scientists Non-governmental organizations Government extension agents Private and public institutions Market actors Policy makers Outcomes • Improved access to markets for sheep products • Increased capacity of communities to best manage their sheep populations • Improved livelihoods and household incomes Delivering Science Production systems and existing sheep breeds characterized Continuous data capture and genetic evaluation undertaken Community based breeding programs designed and technically supported 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Growth and Body size Condition Milk production Mothering ability and Reproduction Drought and Disease resistance Dorper Red Maasai Cross What farmers like in their ewes -10% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Growth and Body size Condition Milk production Mothering ability and Reproduction Drought and Disease resistance What farmers want to improve in their ewes Influencing Decisions Providing the evidence for selection and management of breeding programs Dissemination of improved genetics at scale Scoping and support for new products and markets (eg milk) Design and implementation of breeding programs Develop breeding Objectives Characterize Diversity and develop database platforms Map livestock populations Map and link actors Developing Capacity ICT capacity of national research stations requires strengthening Awareness and understanding of potential in sheep for income generation by livestock keepers needs to be enhanced Market players must provide inputs