Genetic improvement and utilization of indigenous cattle breeds for beef production in Zimbabwe: past, present and futur

Journal Title: Agricultural Advances - Year 2012, Vol 1, Issue 1

Abstract

Indigenous cattle breeds constitute an important reservoir of genetic material which developing nations have failed to give adequate recognition. Changes in economic situation, the changing consumer preference and therefore the need for change in production methods to comply with these are the major forces dictating the future of indigenous cattle breeding. Genetic improvement programs for indigenous cattle in developing countries have lagged behind chiefly because the infrastructural element necessary for planned breeding programs such as performance recording and artificial insemination centers are unavailable. The traditional methods of livestock husbandry practices in most of these countries is based on subsistence farming characterized by low input system and majority of the livestock owners are peasant farmers, making it impossible to establish planned indigenous cattle breeding schemes as is done in developed countries. It now seems clear that without a thorough understanding of the small cattle production sector’s goals and strategies and without their participation, indigenous cattle genetic improvement programs are unlikely to be successful. Indigenous cattle genetic improvement must be based on empirically sound research if efforts are to be successful, more often than not previous projects implementation have been based on incorrect assumption about the behavior and goals of smallholder cattle sector. This may mean the evaluation of indigenous cattle breeds performance must be approached systematically, but is expensive and requires considerable professional dedication at national level. Unfortunately at least one of these perquisites is often lacking, and as a result few accurate data on indigenous cattle performance are as yet available to introduce suitable genetic improvement strategies. An open nucleus breeding scheme for indigenous cattle breeds should be advocated. This may be attractive particularly in smallholder cattle sector with small populations where within herd selection programs are ineffective. There can be little doubt that the opportunities for indigenous cattle breeding are great if local breeders are willing to accept the challenge of a changing beef industry and realize the necessity for having to be competitive. The specific strategy for genetic improvement of indigenous cattle proposed by this review is based on open nucleus breeding scheme where performance testing and progeny testing are applied as tools for selection.

Authors and Affiliations

N. Assan| Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture Management

Keywords

Related Articles

Effect of storage containers and moisture levels on the seed quality of Lentil (Lens culinaris L.)

The effect of moisture levels and storage containers on the quality of lentil seed was investigated in the laboratory of Agronomy Department, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) Dinajpur, Ban...

Nutrient deficiency symptomology in citrus: An effective diagnostic tool or just an aid for post –mortem analysis

Nutrient responsiveness of citrus is evaluated through nutrient diagnostics based on leaf analysis, soil analysis, juice analysis, enzyme function and deficiency symptoms. Of them, deficiency symptoms are most widely...

Effects of trickle irrigation system from southern Iran district Chabahar free zone

This research was carried out on steep slope area planted with trees in different elevation terraces. The experiments were conducted at the experimental site at the Chabahar Free Zone. One major disadvantage of trickle...

Evaluation of Khazaei Model in Predicting of Water Absorption of Chickpea during Soaking

Water absorption progress of agricultural productions includes two parts. Water absorption rate of initial and second phase are high and low, respectively. The main problem of all existing mathematical models of water ab...

Seroprevalence of Haemoprotozoan diseases in ruminants of Kashmir valley

The study was designed to investigate the seroprevalence of haemoparasites (Babesia, Anaplasma and Theileria) among ruminants from Kashmir valley for a period of two years. A total of 585 blood samples were collected f...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP477
  • DOI -
  • Views 587
  • Downloads 51

How To Cite

N. Assan (2012). Genetic improvement and utilization of indigenous cattle breeds for beef production in Zimbabwe: past, present and futur. Agricultural Advances, 1(1), 1-13. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-477