African Animal Breeding Network (AABNet) and its partners have launched an open-access publication highlighting the conservation of Africa’s rich indigenous livestock genetic resources. The book aims to unlock the potential of these breeds for enhanced productivity, climate resilience, and sustainable development across the continent.

• Africa hosts approximately one-third of the world’s total livestock population, with significant diversity in indigenous cattle, goats, poultry, and camels.
• Key organizations involved include AABNet, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), and the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
• The publication emphasizes that local breeds are crucial for combating climate change, ensuring food security, and driving sustainable agricultural transformation, despite many being at risk of extinction.