Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS)

DAD-IS is the Domestic Animal Diversity Information System maintained and developed by FAO. It provides you with access to searchable databases of breed-related information and photos and links to other online resources on livestock diversity. Furthermore, you can find the contact information of all National Coordinators for the Management of Animal Genetic Resources. It allows you to analyse the diversity of livestock breeds on national, regional and global levels including the status of breeds regarding their risk of extinction.  

Key facts


  • The roles and values of animal genetic resources remain diverse, particularly with regard to the livelihoods of poor people. 


  • There are around 8800 livestock breeds of 38 different species in the world, providing a diversity of products and services.

  • Many breeds have unique characteristics that can contribute to meeting challenges related to climate change.


  • The threats to animal genetic resources need to be better identified and their potential effects better assessed, so that action can be taken.


  • Establishing and sustaining effective livestock breeding programmes are still major challenges for many countries.


  • The world’s livestock diversity remains at risk.

Tools

DAD-IS provides you with tools to monitor national breed populations and with this, to make informed decisions on the management of animal genetic resources. More than 15 000 national breed populations (representing more than 8 800 breeds and about 40 species) from 182 countries are recorded.

You can measure progress made towards target 2.5 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) focusing on the maintenance of the genetic diversity of farmed and domesticated animals. Try our tools!

Results

Breed Diversity

Mammalian and avian livestock breeds are reported to occur either in only a single country (local breeds), in several countries in one region (regional transboundary) or in different regions of the world (international transboundary).

Local Breeds at Risk of Extinction

Observing the proportion of local breeds, classified as being at risk, not-at risk or of unknown level of risk of extinction and the SDG indicator 2.5.2, helps you to understand the situation of the genetic diversity of farmed and domesticated animals.