Using genomic technology to inform dairy seedstock import choices for smallholder dairy systems in low- and middle-income countries

The practice of importing dairy animals from developed temperate nations, for both pure breeding and crossbreeding purposes, is frequently employed to boost milk production in tropical low- and middle-income countries.

However, this approach often proves inadequate in smallholder dairy systems in low- and middle-income countries because the imported animals, typically selected and bred for high-input environments, are not adequately adapted to the conditions and needs of smallholder systems.

The African Asian Dairy Genetic Gains (AADGG) program is addressing this gap by identifying and promoting the use of dairy seedstocks suitable for smallholder dairy systems.

This involves using genomic information to predict the performance and suitability of foreign evaluated dairy seedstock within smallholder systems.

This policy brief shares the results of investigations aimed at answering the question: Can genomic models from AADGG predict genomic breeding values for imported
animals and their performance in smallholder dairy systems?

Citation
Ekine-Dzivenu, C.C., Mrode, R., Gebreyohanes, G., Meseret, S., Ojango, J.M.K., Okeyo, A.M., Komwihangilo, D.M. and Lyatuu, E.T. 2024. Using genomic technology to inform dairy seedstock import choices for smallholder dairy systems in low- and middle-income countries. ILRI Policy Brief 43. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI.

Photo: Dairy cow looks out from her stall in a village in central Malawi (ILRI/Stevie Mann)