TRAINING METHODS IN ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES

TRAINING METHODS IN ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

A.H. Osman¹

1.    INTRODUCTION

During several previous meetings concerning animal genetic resources conservation and management held by or under the auspices of FAO and other organizations the consensus of opinion was that although long-term objectives are the same, immediate goals differ between developed and developing countries. This paper deals with training methods in animal genetic resources in developing countries.

Information as well as experience in this subject is rather limited and therefore the views expressed herein are meant to stimulate discussion. An attempt will be made to answer the following relevant questions:

2.    NEED FOR, AND BENEFITS OF, TRAINING IN ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES

Animal breeding in Europe and other developed countries has followed, for the last two centuries, a different path from that in developing countries. In developed countries intense selection for type as well as for production traits resulted in a relatively small number of well defined breeds. The establishment of breed societies, with the help of government and semi-government agencies promoted further pure breeding and development of distinguishable and specialized breeds.

On the other hand, in most developing countries animal breeding followed old traditional methods which emphasized "quantity" rather than "quality" breeding. Becaue of social outlook to livestock, livestock owners paid little attention to individual excellence, and stressed increases in the herd or flock which is to a large extent related to multiplication and survival under the prevailing adverse conditions. The security of the livestock owners is reflected in raising more animals rather than the production performance of individual animals.

Under this genetic situation (lack of selection) and social outlook, practically all breeds and strains are preserved, each adapted to a specific environment. Performance recording is virtually unknown. High producing and low producing breeds are in co-existence, sometimes physically not far from each other.

Due to the rising demands for animal products many governments of developing countries tried to rectify the situation by the introduction of exotic genetic resources from developed countries. These policies are based on the assumption that productivity of indigenous breeds is very low. However, in many instances the indigenous breeds have not been properly evaluated. The dangers of this policy of indiscriminate cross-breeding with exotic stock and the rationale behind preserving indigenous breeds must be pointed out to governments before further damage is done.

Therefore there is need for documentation, and evaluation of the present indigenous breeds in developing countries. Once this information is available then programmes of conservation and utilization of these indigenous breeds should be carefully planned to cater for the short-term and long-term requirements of animal production in developing countries.

Due to the present organization of animal production in developing countries, which is characterized by a large sector of small farmers and nomads, genetic improvement methods relying on performance recording as seen in developed countries must be altered in such a way to cope with the situation. Under these conditions the problems of conservation and selection are closely linked.

3.    PARTICIPANTS AND LEVELS OF TRAINING

In developing countries there is a shortage of highly qualified technical staff. Therefore a large part of the work will be entrusted to technicians and medium-level staff.

Documentation

It will be adequate to train technicians in animal production and veterinary science to shoulder this responsibility, including training in laboratory techniques.

Evaluation

This requires university training in animal production preferably in animal breeding. Post-graduate diploma or MSc will be even more suitable.

Conservation, Management and Utilization

In order to draw an effective programme of conservation, genetic improvement and utilization of the animal genetic resources, PhD training in animal genetics and breeding possibly also in other related fields is essential. In many developing countries this calibre of technical staff is not available. This situation would then require regional and international cooperation.

4.    RECOMMENDED METHODS OF TRAINING

4.1    Theoretical Aspects

4.2    Practical Aspects

4.3    Country Reports and Case Studies

Each participant should present a country report for discussion. The report should include the work done in his (her) country and the problems related therewith.

Since most of these training courses will be regional because of language limitation, etc., then case studies of interesting work from outside the region can also be reported and discussed.

5.    FACILITIES AND STAFF NEEDED FOR TRAINING

As far as possible training in animal genetic resources conservation and man agement should be shared between developed and developing countries. Lack of adequate training facilities should not be a limiting factor in organizing training courses in developing countries. Where there are nucleus facilities they should be augmented with the assistance of regional and international cooperation.

Technical staff from developing countries should be aware of the fact that even with limited facilities, some work can be accomplished.

Only high-level courses requiring elaborate facilities and complex equipment should be held in developed countries.

Also qualified personnel from developing countries should participate in these training courses.

6.    NEED FOR REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Training in animal genetic resources conservation and management requires good and multidisciplinary facilities which are not present in any one single developing country. Therefore intercountry, regional and international cooperation is of paramount importance. This can best be accomplished by identifying potential training centres in developing and developed countries. These centres should be earmarked for certain levels of training. They should be augmented and improved in the best possible way through regional and international assistance, if need arises.

REPORT ON THE FAO/UNEP TRAINING COURSE ON ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

I. Bodó¹

On the initiative of FAO/UNEP a two-week training course was organized on animal genetic resources conservation methodology for animal scientists from developing countries.

1.    THE GOALS OF THE TRAINING COURSE

2.    HOST INSTITUTION

The host institution of the trailing course was the University of Veterinary Science, Budapest, Landler Jenó u. 2, Hungary.

3.    PARTICIPANTS

Eighteen participants were selected by FAO from 15 developing countries. All of them were very well educated people and included university lecturers, research officers, extension workers, government administrators and livestock station superintendents. Some of them had the PhD degree from Europe or North America. For details see the list of participants (Annex II).

All the participants understood and spoke English. The course was conducted in English.

4.    ACCOMMODATION, CLASSROOMS AND OTHER FACILITIES

Accommodation and breakfast was provided for the participants in the student hostel of the University in single or in some cases double rooms with bathrooms. Classroom lectures were organized in the same building. Slide and transparent projectors were available. Lunch and dinner were served nearby in a restaurant.

5.    FINANCE

A fund of Hungarian Forints equivalent to US$ 20 000 deposited by FAO/UNEP was available to the University of Veterinary Science to cover the costs of the training course. The travelling of the participants was arranged separately by FAO. The cost of providing a Manual to be published soon is also included in the above mentioned sum.

6.    SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IN THE TWO-WEEK TRAINING COURSE (see Annex I for full programme)

Social Events:

1. Opening Reception, given by the Rector of the University
2. Farewell dinner

7.    SUBJECTS OF THE TRAINING COURSE

7.1    Classroom Lectures

Theory of conservation and management

Several approaches to the problem

Methods of conservation

Organization of maintenance of rare breeds threatened by extinction

Health and disease problems of conservation and the role of indigenous breeds in resistance against disease

Special cases

Other species

Following each lecture numerous questions were put during the discussion periods.

7.2    Country Reports

Each of the participants gave a report (usually illustrated) on animal genetic resources in his own country, which were very interesting. These reports may be considered as case studies and were followed by active discussion, many questions and comments.

7.3    Field Visits

The participants of the course visited the Hortobágy State Farm and National Park which are responsible for the maintenance of genetic resources of some Hungarian endangered domestic species (sheep, cattle, swine).

Another visit was paid to an AI centre where the participants could study cryogenic methods and storage of semen.

An embryo transfer was demonstrated in practice with cattle.

The Saturday afternoon and Sunday excursions were for relaxation and to show the participants Budapest and some landscapes of Hungary as well as a visit to a Game Production Centre in the country.

8.    CONCLUSIONS

Based on the experiences of this training course, I highlight the following items for future courses:

1. The scientific programme should include the small animals such as rabbit, pigeon and other backyard production breeds as well as fisheries (freshwater and sea) ; furthermore game meat production and consumption.
2. It would be desirable that FAO provides the available data on each represented country on which the country reports should be based.
3. The host country must be prepared for the duplication of the lectures as well as the country reports and possibly brief summaries. Also for the provision of the technical facilities such as projectors, tape recorders, etc.

I consider it desirable to reproduce also the illustrations of the lectures and country reports (use of video recorder?).

4. Since discussion is a very important part of the course one should consider whether the oral part of the discussions should be taped and published in the form of brief minutes, or in the final report.
5. The scientific and the financial/organizational tasks of the training course should be separated.
6. Because of the different financial systems of possible organizing countries provision should be made for the participants to have both convertible and local currencies.

ANNEX I

FAO/UNEP TRAINING COURSE ON ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES
CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
Budapest, 5-16 September 1983

Director: Dr. I. Bodó
Co-Director: Dr. John Hodges

TIMETABLE

5 September

6 September

7 September

8 September

9 September

10 September

11 September

12 September

13 September

14 September

15 September

16 September

17-18 September

Departure of participants

ANNEX II

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

LECTURERS

SUPPORTING STAFF

ASSISTANTS

¹ Director, Institute of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Shambat, Sudan.

¹ Department of Animal Husbandry, University of Veterinary Science, P.O. Box 2, H-1400 Budapest 7, Hungary.