International Journal of Agricultural Science Research Vol. 4(7), pp. 132-139, July 2015 ISSN 2327-3321 ©2015 Academe Research Journals

Review

Review on dynamics of the environment and promises of the indigenous cattle genetic resources toward coping up with environmental changes: The case of Ethiopian cattle breeds

Tesfaye Amene Dadi

Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mizan-Tepi University, P.O. Box 260, Mizan-Tepi, Ethiopia. E-mail: tesfuam@gmail.com. 

Accepted 9 June, 2015

Abstract

Review work was done to assess the impact of climate change on the livestock production sector and the unique traits found in indigenous breeds to mitigate the climate changes. Currently, the world is facing a number of challenges, of which climate change is a priority area. The effect of climate change on biodiversity in general and domestic animals in particular is articulated in different scale. Ethiopia as a poor country has little to do to curb the situation in terms of a variety of technologies. Climate change could be particularly damaging to countries which are dependent on rain fed agriculture and under heavy pressure from food insecurity and often famine caused by natural disasters. Livestock production in Ethiopia is already under pressure from climate change due to change in water quality and quantity, animal feeds resources, heat stress, and disease and vectors. However, as a country rich in biodiversity there are a number of options where the country could mitigate the problems faced in livestock production sector. To the truth of world dynamicity, livestock production and indigenous genetic resources utilization systems should have to be in line with this frequent and unpredictable changes. Indigenous cattle breeds are a valuable source of genetic material because of their adaptation to harsh climatic conditions, ability to better utilize the limited and poor quality feed resources and their tolerance to a range of disease found in different corners of the country. In economic terms, these indicative data suggest that such adapted breeds if managed properly, supported with appropriate research direction and comprehensive review of research done on indigenous cattle breeds, can provide insurance against possible change in production system. Therefore, in the context of climate change, strategies for livestock research and innovation, and indigenous cattle production in Ethiopia should be geared towards exploitation of cattle genetic resources and the utilization of such adapted indigenous breeds to cope up with climate change.

Key words: Dynamics of the environment, environmental changes, indigenous cattle genetic resources.