Dr C. Valentine Yapi-Gnaoré's viewpoint
nterview with Dr C. Valentine Yapi-Gnaoré, director of the Centre International de Recherche Développement sur l’Elevage en Zone Subhumide (CIRDES), a research centre on livestock and animal diseases in Burkina Faso, is an expert in quantitative genetics and domestic livestock improvement.
How is genetic livestock improvement able to help fulfil the current and future protein needs of African people?
In general, livestock productivity is lower in Africa than in Europe or elsewhere, whereas herd numbers are high. Genetic improvement can be geared towards increasing the amount of protein produced per livestock head, thus increasing the protein supply available to meet peoples’ needs. Several projects on this issue have been carried out but unfortunately not followed up.
Should livestock farmers be more involved?
Yes, genetic improvement initiatives should come from livestock farmers themselves under guidance from experts. Most of the programmes are run by governments and donors but they end when funding dries up. If, however, farmers are proactive, if they are more aware and participate effectively, I think it could improve the productivity of their herd. But unfortunately, the feeling still prevails that the larger the herd the richer and more social status one has. This thinking must change. Genetic improvement implies that, for instance, livestock farmers should not have unproductive male or female animals in their herds, but this is a bitter pill to swallow. Farmers’ herd management habits, whereby male and female animals are generally grouped together, further complicate the situation. Moreover, are there enough qualified people to manage genetic improvement in Africa?
What CIRDES genetic improvement initiatives are under way?
Our job is to first identify important local livestock breeds. Their potential is measured in terms of tolerance to certain diseases, walking ability and cultural value. We are developing a gene bank and collecting semen from males of these breeds, which is stored in controlled conditions. Two years ago we also set up a farm to preserve live animals of these breeds. This farm showcases native livestock breeds from West and Central Africa. CIRDES has a genotyping platform for molecular biology research, which enables us to characterise livestock breeds. The laboratory is certified under ISO/IEC 17025:2005, so CIRDES is a West African Economic and Monetary Union centre of excellence in animal biotechnology.
