Adoption of Genomics and Breeding Strategies to Improve Goat Productivity in Southern Africa

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to discuss possible perspectives on breeding and genomics to improve goat productivity in Southern Africa. Goats play a major role in poverty reduction, rural economy and improved nutrition. Indigenous goats possess vast genetic diversity suitable for continual genetic improvement, changing environments and food security. Most of goat production in the region is, however, practised under low-input extensive management resulting in decreased population, reduced genetic variation and selection response, and ultimately low productivity. The goat industry is generally faced with numerous challenges such as improper genotype, feeding and marketing strategies. Application of molecular genomics has opened new horizons for animal improvement by accelerating genetic progress, accuracy of selection for superior traits as well as mapping genes of economic importance. Community-based breeding improvement programme will facilitate sustainable goat improvement and the goat value chain that include management of resources and services and collective decision-making. The genetic gain can be augmented through the integration of genomics by screening for potentially numerous specific mutations of interest or genomic variants that underlie important traits.