One of the major aims of the African Small Ruminant Research Network (SRNET) is to promote and improve the exchange of information on small ruminant research and development, particularly among scientists working on small ruminants in Africa.
One of the mechanisms used by the Network in pursuit of this goal is its biennial scientific conference. This brings together scientists working on small ruminants in Africa and elsewhere to share information on their research and development experiences.
This proceedings is an account of the First Biennial Conference, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 10 to 14 December 1990. The conference comprised six scientific sessions, during which 47 papers were presented and discussed. The sessions focused on production systems and economics, performance and reproductive wastage, feeding and nutrition, genetic resources, reproduction and breeding and small ruminant development projects in Africa and their implications for research. The conference was attended by more than 80 scientists from 33 African and 3 non-African countries.
Although aimed primarily at researchers, we hope that the proceedings will be useful to others involved in development work with small ruminants.
The organisers are grateful to the European Economic Community (EEC) for funding the conference and the publication of the proceedings. Sincere thanks are due to all who worked to make the conference a success. Particular thanks are due to Dr B. Rey, the then acting SRNET Coordinator, on secondment from the Institut d'elevage et de medecine veterinaire des pays tropicaux (IEMVT), for overall organisation; the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (ILRAD) for providing the conference facilities and moral support; the untiring and efficient secretarial staff of SRNET at ILCA headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; and the administrative and support staff at ILCA's offices in Nairobi for the superb logistical arrangements.
Special thanks are extended to the Government of Kenya for its support of the conference and to the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) for co-hosting the conference. Particular thanks go to Dr D. Wachira, Deputy Director of KARI.
Finally, I am grateful to all those who contributed to the production of this proceedings, especially Selamawit Dominique for typing the manuscript and staff of ILCA's Publications Section for production services.
S.H.B. Lebbie
SRNET Coordinator
