Strategies to balance productivity and genetic diversity for the sustainable use of indigenous livestock breeds: A case study of Ethiopia

Abstract

Livestock genetic improvement and conservation approaches follow divergent paths to achieve livestock productivity and genetic diversity, respectively. However, designing a win-win solution is mandatory to secure sustainable utilization of indigenous livestock breeds. To recommend a balanced solution, a systematic review was conducted to summarize the advantages and limitations of both approaches in developing countries using Ethiopia as a case study. Within-breed selection, breed substitution and crossbreeding programmes were implemented to achieve livestock genetic improvement while in situ and ex situ methods were used to maintain the genetic diversity of the indigenous livestock breeds. The genetic improvement approach offers advantages such as increased productivity, climate change mitigation and reduced animal aggression. However, it is also associated with limitations, including genetic erosion, maladaptation, inbreeding, high costs, and longer time requirements. On the other hand, the conservation approach focuses on maintaining genetic diversity, adaptable breeds, unique traits, cultural heritage and market-demanded products. However, maintaining indigenous breeds without genetic improvement is often associated with lower productivity, which hinders food security and income generation for farmers. Therefore, a balanced application of both approaches is recommended to achieve optimal productivity while preserving the genetic diversity of indigenous breeds. To ensure sustainable utilization, it is recommended to identify indigenous livestock breeds through phenotypic, genomic and historical characterization; conduct breed-, sex- and age-specific population censuses; evaluate breeds on station and on farm; delineate conservation areas; implement cryoconservation; and improve husbandry practices.