{"metadata":{"id":"010b944c64f51ff5aa0e5454415cdfa3","source":"gardian_index","url":"https://cgspace.cgiar.org/rest/bitstreams/00cf4529-9534-4aa6-afe3-ca21c6bf03d2/retrieve"},"pageCount":9,"title":"Activity report: Livestock Genetics Flagship exposure farm visit and buck selection exercise by project beneficiaries from Turkana County Regional Pastoral Livelihoods Resilience Project (RPLRP)","keywords":[],"chapters":[{"head":"","index":1,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":19,"text":"ATTRIBUTION. The work must be attributed, but not in any way that suggests endorsement by ILRI or the author(s)."}]},{"head":"NOTICE:","index":2,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":86,"text":"For any reuse or distribution, the licence terms of this work must be made clear to others. Any of the above conditions can be waived if permission is obtained from the copyright holder. Nothing in this licence impairs or restricts the author's moral rights. Fair dealing and other rights are in no way affected by the above. The parts used must not misrepresent the meaning of the publication. ILRI would appreciate being sent a copy of any materials in which text, photos etc. have been used."},{"index":2,"size":11,"text":"Editing, design and layout-ILRI Editorial and Publishing Services, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia."},{"index":3,"size":19,"text":"Photo credit: Anne Muigai/JKUAT. Citation: Ojango, J.M.K., Gitau, J., Gachora, J., Muigai, A., Muliuki, R. and Eyanae, G. 2021 "}]},{"head":"Project background","index":3,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":73,"text":"The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives (MALFC) contributes to the World Bank-supported Regional Pastoral Livelihoods Resilience Project (RPLRP-Kenya) whose objective is to enhance livelihoods and resilience of pastoral and agropastoral communities in cross-border drought prone areas. The ILRI livestock genetics team is contributing to improving livestock productivity in Turkana, Isiolo and Marsabit counties through herd management and communitybased breeding in order to:"},{"index":2,"size":18,"text":"• Build capacity within pastoral communities to maintain the genetic diversity of indigenous livestock while improving their productivity."},{"index":3,"size":14,"text":"• Promote behaviour change and reorient the pastoralists' mindset to more commercial livestock production."},{"index":4,"size":48,"text":"Interventions are focused on sheep and goat production in pastoral communities as they play an integral role in supporting sustainable livelihoods and food security for livestock keepers living in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL). Sheep and goats are also easier for women to acquire, own and manage."}]},{"head":"Community-based interventions in Turkana County","index":4,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":50,"text":"Turkana County hosts large numbers of sheep and goats and has prioritized their productivity in the pastoral communities as a means of improving livelihoods. Through engagements with livestock keepers in 'core innovation community groups' (CIG) in the two sites, Napeikar and Kapua, previously selected as outlined in Oyieng et al."},{"index":2,"size":51,"text":"(2021) 1 , it was evident that over the years the growth rate and mature size of sheep and goats in pastoralists flocks has greatly declined. This results in very low off-take rates as due to the small size of animals, the price offered for mature animals in markets is low."},{"index":3,"size":128,"text":"The baseline evaluation of the flocks in Napeikar and Kapua (Oyieng et al. 2021) showed that the sheep and goats have been adversely affected by 'negative selection' whereby faster growing animals are taken to markets for sale, and long-term inbreeding occurs as both male and female animals are left to graze in close proximity in the open pastures. Following community training activities 2 and interactive engagements between the CIG, the County Livestock Department and the project team over two years, it was determined that the livestock populations required a 'genetic boost' through introducing better performing indigenous livestock from an unrelated population within Kenya. With the resources available through the RPLRP project, it was collaboratively determined that improved Galla bucks would be sourced and provided for the CIG members."},{"index":4,"size":213,"text":"Community focus group discussions were held involving CIG members, the county livestock office and the RPLRP project team members implementing breeding improvement from ILRI and MALFC. The discussions focused on options for types of animals to be introduced, resources available for sourcing new animals, and priorities in sharing the new animals to be purchased. The community meetings were critical to manage expectations of the communities, and to ensure equity in sharing the improved genetic resources. The CIG members also organized for group discussions under the stewardship of community elders and the county livestock office. Collaboratively, CIG members agreed to share new breeding animals among villages in a manner that members from the different communities would have access to improved bucks for mating their animals in a coordinated manner. Minutes from the community meetings were signed and retained at the county livestock office for accountability in case of future challenges in sharing improved breeding animals. Additionally, the CIG members nominated two representatives, one man and one woman, from each project site to travel with the county veterinary doctor, the livestock extension officer and the community elder in order to participate in buck selection. The county veterinary doctor played a critical role in providing technical advice on select bucks and animal health inspection and screening."}]},{"head":"Sourcing of breeding bucks for CIG","index":5,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":139,"text":"In sourcing for improved animals, the project team noted that care should be taken to ensure the animals were reared by registered goat breeders in the country. The animals were to be between 1 and 2 years of age, with good conformation for growth and free of physical defects and diseases. Additionally, animals were to be vaccinated against pox, contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP), peste de petits ruminants (PPR) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and all protocols for animal movement across the country were to be implemented. It was evident that livestock keepers registered as breeders of pure-bred Galla goats are very few in Kenya. The project team thus engaged a registered livestock business consultant to source and purchase improved Galla bucks with the desired characteristics through MALFC. A total of 42 Galla bucks were purchased for distribution to the CIG."}]},{"head":"Farmer to farmer learning activities","index":6,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":7,"text":"The National Small Ruminant Breeding Station -Naivasha"}]},{"head":"Animal handling and physical evaluation","index":7,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":75,"text":"In line with guidelines provided in the second module on best practices for selective breeding for improved livestock productivity, a practical demonstration was provided for the CIG members on what is critical for them to inspect when evaluating a breeding animal. Information was presented to the CIG representatives on critical attributes in good breeding bucks, and routine management practices required to retain their good health and libido for breeding. Physical examination of the animals involved:"},{"index":2,"size":31,"text":"• Palpation of the testicles and the tail end of the epididymis. The size of the testicles relates to the ability of the buck to produce larger quantities of quality sperm."},{"index":3,"size":21,"text":"• Visual appraisal of feet, legs and eyes to check for any lameness and evidence of foot rot or foot scald."},{"index":4,"size":19,"text":"• Body condition of the buck was done by handling the buck across the top and along the ribs."},{"index":5,"size":15,"text":"The buck should have some extra condition or fat reserves, but not be overly fat."},{"index":6,"size":14,"text":"• Age determination by dentition to ensure the select bucks are below two years."}]},{"head":"Tagging and recording of body measurements","index":8,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":24,"text":"Individual animal identification enables producers to record physical features, pedigree details, critical dates of events on their animals. Identification is also important for ownership."},{"index":2,"size":16,"text":"Picture 1. Improved Galla bucks purchased for CIG in Turkana County (photo by Muigai A. JKUAT)."},{"index":3,"size":18,"text":"The 42 bucks purchased were tagged and inspected by the representative CIG members and the county veterinary doctor."},{"index":4,"size":13,"text":"Picture 2: Tagging and recording details of select bucks (photo by Gitau J/ILRI)."},{"index":5,"size":45,"text":"Learning from large-scale livestock production farms in semi-arid environments Learning visits were organized to the Marula and KALRO farms in Naivasha. The team from Turkana County was given a tour of the two farms and introduced to different management practices adopted for various livestock species."},{"index":6,"size":13,"text":"Training was also provided on management of different age categories by farm personnel."},{"index":7,"size":14,"text":"Picture 3: Representative CIG members visit the Marula Farm-Naivasha (photo by Gitau J. /ILRI)."}]},{"head":"Core innovations group members in Napeikar and Kapua receive breeding bucks","index":9,"paragraphs":[{"index":1,"size":96,"text":"Selected and identified breeding bucks were transported to Turkana County under the stewardship of MALFC, the County Veterinary Department and security personnel. Distribution among the CIG was implemented as agreed in community meetings. With the extensive capacity development implemented in communities, and training provided to extension personnel at the county level, it is anticipated that the pastoralists will be able to apply the best practises learnt and change the trajectory in their flocks. Additional support in managing the breeding with new animals would be desireable. This will be provided through consultation with the County Livestock Department. "}]}],"figures":[{"text":"  "},{"text":"  "},{"text":"  "},{"text":"  "},{"text":". Flagship exposure farm visit and buck selection exercise by project beneficiaries from Turkana County-Regional Pastoral Livelihoods Resilience Project (RPLRP).Activity report: Livestock Genetics. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.  Patron: Professor Peter C. Doherty AC, FAA, FRS  Patron: Professor Peter C. Doherty AC, FAA, FRS Animal scientist, Nobel Prize Laureate for Physiology or Medicine-1996 Animal scientist, Nobel Prize Laureate for Physiology or Medicine-1996 Box 30709, Nairobi 00100 Kenya Phone +254 20 422 3000 Fax +254 20 422 3001 Email ilri-kenya@cgiar.org ilri.org better lives through livestock ILRI is a CGIAR research centre Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Phone +251 11 617 2000 Fax +251 11 667 6923 Email ilri-ethiopia@cgiar.org Box 30709, Nairobi 00100 Kenya Phone +254 20 422 3000 Fax +254 20 422 3001 Email ilri-kenya@cgiar.orgilri.org better lives through livestock ILRI is a CGIAR research centreBox 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Phone +251 11 617 2000 Fax +251 11 667 6923 Email ilri-ethiopia@cgiar.org  "},{"text":" Picture 4: Animals arrive and are received by CIG in Turkana County (photo by Eyanae G. /TCG). No objection' to be written by Veterinary doctor in charge of Turkana County .Stopping points for the goatsAt Naivasha Sheep and Goats. 11th to 13th.At Nasukuta. To arrive on 13th afternoon/evening and leave for Lodwar on 14th. Judy to confirm this.Assessment of Bucks by team from TurkanaTeam from Turkana to evaluate and tag breeding bucks when at the Naivasha sheep and goat station on 12 NovemberProgram for farmer learning Annex   Annex Preparation of animals for Turkana County  Preparation of animals for Turkana County ITEM NOTES  ITEMNOTES Goats purchase The selection Turkana County Saturday/Sunday, goats loaded for travel 1 Goats purchaseThe selection Turkana County Saturday/Sunday, goats loaded for travel 1 Transportation Organized by MALFC TransportationOrganized by MALFC Movement permit 'Day 1 12 th October 2021 Movement permit'Day 112 th October 2021 Time Session  station TimeSessionstation 1230-1300 Team to have Lunch at ILRI 1230-1300Team to have Lunch at ILRI 1300 Team leaves for Naivasha 1300Team leaves for Naivasha 1500 -1530 Inspection of the bucks  Sheep and Goats 1500 -1530Inspection of the bucksSheep and Goats    station Naivasha station Naivasha 1530 -1600 Beneficiaries learn best herd management practices Sheep and Goats 1530 -1600Beneficiaries learn best herd management practicesSheep and Goats    station Naivasha station Naivasha 1800 -1900 Interactive session -Key informant interviews on effect Hotel of residence 1800 -1900Interactive session -Key informant interviews on effectHotel of residence  of covid-19 on livestock production of covid-19 on livestock production 1900 -2000 Dinner  1900 -2000Dinner  Day 2 13 th October 2021 Day 213 th October 2021 0830 -1030 Exposure tour  Marula farm 0830 -1030Exposure tourMarula farm 1100 -1300 Exposure tour  KALRO 1100 -1300Exposure tourKALRO 1300 -1430 Lunch break  1300 -1430Lunch break  Team leaves for Nairobi  Team leaves for Nairobi  "}],"sieverID":"ad05cb2f-9448-46ae-a196-f07d968a57d5","abstract":"CGIAR is a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food-secure future. The CGIAR Research Program on Livestock provides research-based solutions to help smallholder farmers, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists transition to sustainable, resilient livelihoods and to productive enterprises that will help feed future generations. It aims to increase the productivity and profitability of livestock agri-food systems in sustainable ways, making meat, milk and eggs more available and affordable across the developing world. The Program brings together five core partners: the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) with a mandate on livestock; the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), which works on forages; the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), which works on small ruminants and dryland systems; the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) with expertise particularly in animal health and genetics and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) which connects research into development and innovation and scaling processes.The Program thanks all donors and organizations which globally support its work through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund"}