Abstract
Persistent food insecurity, along with climate change pressures, urges on the definition of suitable strategies to support the transformation of low-input livestock farming in developing countries. Advances in genomics and information technologies are valuable opportunities for achieving the required improvement, but their implementation implies access to technical and financial resources with appropriate adjustment in the local context. Addressing extensive cattle production in Benin, we focus on animal genetic resources (AnGR) and corresponding approaches aiming for a durable breeding improvement based on sustainable management strategies. Specifically, smallholder breeding goals are revised, and novel strategies for proper organization, sound data collection, and scientific investigations are explored. Further emphasis addresses the enhancement of farmer management practices, including valuable traditional knowledge; and breeding strategies to improve animal performances considering robustness and further traits favored by the farmers. Against such a background, it is imperative that political, institutional, and scientific collaborations reinforce research capacities and technical and financial resources. In the given context, the current review article provides policymakers and national and international researchers with practical guidance based on scientific criteria for a smallholder livestock amelioration in Benin, scalable to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Highlights
Agricultural production, especially livestock, in developing regions is characterized by a high vulnerability, which is intensified by diverse challenges, including climate change [1]
Extensive cattle production has a great potential to significantly contribute to food security and enhance the livelihood of smallholders in Benin
The lack of adequate breeding strategies, scientific investigations, and political and financial supports is a severe constraint in a challenging environmental context including feed shortage and disease pressures
Summary
Agricultural production, especially livestock, in developing regions is characterized by a high vulnerability, which is intensified by diverse challenges, including climate change [1]. Sustainability 2021, 13, 9874 disease and heat, tolerance to water scarcity, and ability to cope with poor-quality feed [11,12] Such a unique pool of AnGR is threatened with extinction while the development of breeding strategies considering smallholder management practices is neglected [4,7,13,14]. Capitalizing on the existing knowledge of Beninese cattle production systems along with the prevailing challenges [14,33,34], we review current literature and recommendations on livestock development, management of AnGR, and breeding programs to propose a framework for improving smallholder livestock keepers’ livelihoods in Benin through sustainable management of their cattle genetic resources and improvement of livestock production
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