In the past, little attention was given to traditional systems of livestock production. Indigenous breeds of livestock were considered to have low genetic potential and to contribute only marginally to agricultural production. Moreover, with very few exceptions, the term 'livestock' was almost invariably used as a synonym for cattle: goats and sheep, if considered at all, were regarded as mere harbingers of degradation and drought.
In recent years, some of the old attitudes to traditional livestock production have changed but there is still very little information available on the productivity of local animal breeds under traditional management. This report presents the findings of research work carried out by the International Livestock Centre for Africa (ILCA) on cattle and small ruminant production in central Mali.
The author of this report, who was the Senior Animal Scientist and later Team Leader of ILCA's research programme in Mali, is now Head of the Small Ruminant and Camel Group at ILCA's headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
