Utilizing Indigenous Animal Genetic Resources—Based on Research Into Indigenous Cattle Breeds in the Basque Country in Northern Spain and Indigenous Pig Breeds in Vietnam

Abstract

Biodiversity, climate change, and food security are closely related and increasing worldwide concerns. Therefore, sustainable productivity and changes to the livestock industry are required for the maintenance or amelioration of the global environment and the future of humanity. This review describes the potential of animal genetic resources and their expected roles in livestock improvement. Herein, I report the findings of my previous collaborative research project on the domestication of cattle and pigs, and genetic analysis of native cattle in the Basque Country, Spain, to improve the meat quality of native livestock genetic resources. In addition, I review another research on the diversity of native pigs in Vietnam and the establishment of a gene bank. The conservation of native livestock genetic resources is important for sustainable food production in each region, the inheritance of food culture, and to be available for future needs because native livestock adapted to their habitat's environment can coexist with locally cultivated crops. This encourages livestock researchers to consider sustainable production through the future use of native livestock genetic resources and to seek feasible solutions.