The current status of indigenous ovine genetic resources in Southern Africa and future sustainable utilisation to improve livelihoods
Date
2019-12-25
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Abstract: Indigenous sheep play an important role in the livelihoods of communal farmers in the
Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), and this underlines the need to curb the genetic
erosion of these valuable resources. This contribution reports that the phenotypic performance and
genetics gains of institutional and commercial sheep in Southern Africa are well recorded. In contrast,
there is a dearth of knowledge as far as the performance and genetic gains of indigenous ovine
genetic resources utilized by smallholder farmers are concerned. High levels of genetic diversity
have been observed in exotic breeds, whereas low levels of genetic diversity were found in the Zulu
and Namaqua Afrikaner breeds. Phenotypic measurements for indigenous resources include linear
measurements indicative of size and reproduction for Zulu sheep. Lamb survival, reproduction
and resistance to ticks of the indigenous, fat-tailed Namaqua Afrikaner sheep, as well as growth
and reproduction have also been recorded for Sabi and Landim sheep. This review discusses ways
to sustainably utilize ovine genetic resources, which includes the suggested implementation of
structured breeding and conservation programs, marketing, improving feed resources, health and
diseases, as well as gender and age issues. Clearly, there is ample room for further research and
development as far as the performance and improvement of African indigenous sheep are concerned.
Description
CITATION: Molotsi, A. H., Dube, B. & Cloete, S.W. P. 2020. The current status of indigenous ovine genetic resources in Southern Africa and future sustainable utilisation to improve livelihoods. Diversity, 12(1):14, doi:10.3390/d12010014.
The original publication is available at http://www.mdpi.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
The original publication is available at http://www.mdpi.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.
Keywords
Sheep farming -- South Africa, Sheep breeds-- Southern Africa, Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Southern Africa, Agricultural development projects
Citation
Molotsi, A. H., Dube, B. & Cloete, S.W. P. 2020. The current status of indigenous ovine genetic resources in Southern Africa and future sustainable utilisation to improve livelihoods. Diversity, 12(1):14, doi:10.3390/d12010014