“African livestock farmers/breeders/keepers associations or societies are the primary custodians of important African animal genetic resources (AnGR). These institutions require empowerment and support to enhance their effectiveness and competitiveness in the global arena. One of the Strategic Priority Areas of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) on AnGR highlights the importance of utilization and conservation of indigenous breeds in particular. In line with the GPA, the establishment and strengthening of livestock breeders associations to carry out this important task is therefore, a primary goal of the Genetics Project “Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation of African Animal Genetic Resources” funded by the European Union (EU). The Genetics Project has offered support to over 30 livestock breeders associations in all five regions of Africa to promote the conservation and sustainable utilization of African AnGR. In Kenya, the project supported three initiatives on the Red Maasai Sheep, Galla goats and Dorper sheep. These initiatives have produced significant outputs including; the establishment of the Red Maasai Sheep Breeders Society of Kenya (RMSBSK); the establishment of two County branches of the Dorper Sheep Breeder Society (DSBK) of Kenya in Narok and Kajiado; and the establishment of the Galla Goat Society of Kenya (GGSK). Other achievements include the publication of booklets on Dorper sheep and Galla goat breed standards of excellence. AU-IBAR is committed to making positive contributions with tangible impacts on the sustainable utilization and conservation of indigenous breeds, which are the future of Africa’s livestock sector.”
