[Thanks to Dr. Traore from Mali for his clear comments on the challenges involved in the conservation of local animal breeds and the potential contribution of biotechnology to this area. We have provided an English translation of the original French message (also included), and hope that it accurately captures his views......Moderator]
First of all thanks to the organisers for granting us this small extension [until 18 August]. I read with much interest the contribution of Dr. Hanotte [11 August] concerning the need for international co-operation in the characterisation of our indigenous genetic resources. I agree totally with him about the especially important contribution that biotechnology, in particular molecular markers, can give to this important task and I wish to see an even stronger co-operation being established between centres like ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute) and CIRDES (Centre international de Recherche-Développement sur l'Elevage en Zone subhumide) and other advanced research institutes from the North with our breeding and animal science research institutes.
The area of the management of genetic resources (characterisation, conservation and improvement) figures prominently from now on in our national and regional agricultural research strategic plans, while the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) 2000 meeting which was recently held in Dresden, Germany [see http://www.fao.org/nars/gfar2000/index.htm ...Moderator] consecrated the subject as a privileged area for international co-operation. Characterisation is an important step but is not enough to conserve our local genetic resources. The preservation of these breeds depends on a real appreciation of the identified traits, the traits that are not always in tune with the new demands of the market, such as size, weight, milk production, laying performance etc.
In addition, those who are concerned with the problems of the conservation of local breeds find themselves often faced with the problem of the high appeal of breeds said to be of high performance and their crosses on the breeders. Here, there are some very complex issues which address the entire international community and which call for a sustained co-operation in the field of improvement and conservation of local breeds. Given its mandate, the role of FAO here seems to be particularly important.
Dr Adama TRAORE
Docteur vétérinaire, Spécialiste de reproduction animale (PhD)
Président du Comité National de la Recherche Agronomique (CNRA)
Président du Conseil Ouest et Centre Africain pour la Recherche et le
Développement Agricoles (CORAF)
Bamako (Mali), BP: E1911 , tel/fax : (223) 22 71 65
e-mail : atraore@spider.toolnet.org
Tout d'abord merci aux organisateurs pour nous avoir accordé cette petite prolongation. J'ai lu avec beaucoup d'intérêts la contribution du Dr Hanotte relative à la nécessité d'une coopération internationale dans la caractérisation de nos ressources génétiques indigènes. Je suis tout à fait d'accord avec lui sur la contribution particulièrement importante que peut apporter aujourd'hui la biotechnologie, en particulier les marqueurs moléculaires, à cette importante mission et je souhaite voir une coopération encore plus importante s'instaurer entre des centres comme l'ILRI, le CIRDES et d'autres institutions de recherche avancées du Nord avec nos institutions d'élevage et de recherche zootechnique. Le domaine de la gestion des ressources génétiques (caractérisation, conservation et amélioration) figure désormais en bonne place dans nos plans stratégiques nationaux et régionaux de recherche agricole, et le forum mondial de la recherche agricole qui s'est récemment tenu à Dresde en Allemagne a consacré le sujet comme domaine privilégié de coopération internationale. La caractérisation est une étape importante mais pas suffisante pour conserver nos ressources génétiques locales; la sauvegarde de ces races passe par une valorisation réelle des caractères identifiés, des caractères qui ne sont pas toujours en rapport avec les nouvelles exigences du marché (gabarit, poids, production laitière, performance de ponte etc..). Aussi, ceux qui sont concernés par les problèmes de conservation de races locales se trouvent souvent confrontés au problème de l'attrait excessif exercé sur les éleveurs des races dites de haute performance et les produits croisés. Il y'a ici des aspects très complexes qui interpellent la communauté internationale toute entière et appelle à une coopération soutenue en matière d'amélioration et de conservation des races locales; eu égard à son mandat, le rôle de la FAO apparaît ici particulièrement important.
[The last day for posting messages in this conference is Friday 18 August. To contribute to this conference, send your message to biotech-room3@mailserv.fao.org For further information on the Electronic Forum on Biotechnology in Food and Agriculture see http://www.fao.org/biotech/forum.asp ]
-----Original Message-----
From: Biotech-Mod3
Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2000 5:48 PM
To: 'biotech-room3@mailserv.fao.org'
Subject: Re: international cooperation in genetic characterisation of
livestock
My name is Bess Tiesnamurti, animal breeder at the Indonesian Research Institute for Animal Production, located in Bogor, West Java. I am doing research mainly for sheep and goats and just lately starting work in the area of moleculer biology. I would like to comment on posting made by Drs. Hanotte [11 August] and Traore [16 August].
It is of my great interest to see real international collaboration on genetic characterization of indigenous livestock. DAD-IS/FAO has great and major contribution on collecting information on local indigenous livestock and we have to continue with the real work ("in the fields, to see what is left"). Why do I say that ? We cannot wait any longer - things have to be done "now". If any international collaboration is going to be started, I would like appreciate any organizer to include "our work" to be considered as a member.
For your information, the Indonesian goverment put a small contribution to support research/work on indigenous livestock that is now considered to be at risk (for example: Gembrong goats of Bali, now only 20 heads left, see the Red Book for Livestock, 1996). We purchased 8 does and 2 buck early this year and started to multiply the numbers. It is very expensive to maintain those facilities, however we have to do it, otherwise we lose them all. We are doing ex-situ conservation for other type of goat, chicken and duck.
Regarding the molecular markers to be used for genetic diversity studies, my experience tells me that it is a powerful tool and we have the genetic laboratory that can support that kind of work.
Consideration should be taken to keeping the programme going on a limited budget, therefore I strongly urge to start the international collaboration. What I explain above are my experiences, and I feel we are on the same feeling of how important action shall be taken. I hope my short contribution can lead us that we have to move on. Thank you.
Bess Tiesnamurti
Research Institute for Animal Production
Jalan Raya Pajajarn, Bogor 16151, Indonesia
Phone :62-251-328384 ext 111
Email:pangbu@indo.net.id
[The last day for posting messages in this conference is Friday 18 August. To contribute to this conference, send your message to biotech-room3@mailserv.fao.org For further information on the Electronic Forum on Biotechnology in Food and Agriculture see http://www.fao.org/biotech/forum.asp ]