Background
Given the potential for significant future changes in production conditions and in the objectives of livestock production, it is essential that the option value provided by animal genetic diversity be secured. The use of multi-species and multi-breed herds is one strategy that many livestock breeders use to maintain high diversity in on-farm niches and to buffer against climatic and economic adversities. Such traditional diversification practices are useful for adaptation to climate change. Using and maintaining an animal genetic resource within the framework of a livestock-keeping community calls for different procedures and methods than ex situ or government farm conservation. Indigenous knowledge of animal breeding is made up of various concepts and practices used by livestock breeders to influence the genetic composition of their herds. It includes 1) cultural concepts on the uses of animals (general breeding objectives); 2) local preferences for certain characteristics, such as colour, size, behavioural patterns and disease or drought resistance (specific breeding objectives); 3) selection practices for certain qualities (castration, culling, offspring testing); 4) pedigree-keeping; and 5) social restrictions on the sale of genetically valuable breeding animals that lead to closed gene-pools.
There are two types of transhumance in Africa: the dry season and rainy season transhumance; and various motivations cause these movements, especially that of the rainy season. Transhumance can be defined as ‘a system of animal production characterized by seasonal and cyclical migration of varying degrees between complementary ecological areas and supervised by a few people, with most of the group remaining sedentary’. It can cover a wide range of pastoral production systems, ranging from fully transhumant systems (such as among the northern Mauritanians and Namibians) to systems such as used in east Africa and in Morocco. Transhumance also applies to settled populations who send their livestock short distances to pasture, such as in Zimbabwe.
Benefits of transhumance vary with different actors involved and social relations between the transhumant pastoralists and the host communities. For transhumant pastoralists, the benefits include herd productivity (more milk and improved herd reproductive performance), reduction in herd mortality which implies preservation of livestock asset of the pastoralists, low production cost involved and opportunities to build social relationships with the host communities. For the host communities, the benefits of transhumance include manuring of crop fields by transhumant herds and availability of milk from transhumant herds. The movement of livestock from the drier areas to the wetter ones especially during the dry season often results in unintended and even intended crossbreeding between the larger frame ruminant livestock from the arid and semi-arid areas to the wetter dry sub-humid and humid areas. Transhumance increases the interest of livestock breeders to own, for example, Zebu and facilitates their acquisition. Indeed, the farming system is of extensive type and characterized by wandering of animals during the dry season, making difficult the control of crossings by the breeder. The herders (not always the owners of the animals) are sometimes involved in the control of the reproduction of cattle and small ruminants, with the purposes of deriving an economic interest.
The distribution of genetic variation in endangered populations is the basis for conservation genetic studies and is determined by the contemporary and historical processes predominantly involving genetic drift, gene flow and migration but also including the two other evolutionary forces of selection and mutation. Studies investigating how genetic composition can allow identification of threats to population persistence have highlighted some important factors affecting populations such as low levels of variation, the accumulation of deleterious alleles, and introgression of genes from other species or populations. Information from admixture scenarios can be used in identifying genetic linkage and heritability as in congenital diseases, biogeography and historical population origins, and in more contemporary population genetics and conservation contexts. It is the latter of these that is of particular interest. Admixture occurs as a result of gene-flow between two genetically differentiated populations. When admixed individuals subsequently backcross into their own or a new population the genes acquired through the admixture event are said to have been introgressed into that population. The dynamics of this interaction depend on the levels of differentiation between the populations. Genetic exchange can spread back into the parent populations over huge areas or can be restricted to the formation of temporary intermediate hybrid populations not spreading into either parent population. Over brief periods of contact, there may just be a few mating events and little genetic exchange. These transferred genes can still be detected in the populations for many generations after the event even if this degree of exchange is limited.
In the above regard AU-IBAR is through due diligence seeking to identify and engage the services of one (1) consultant to develop suitable and harmonized regional regulatory frameworks for the movement, exchange and use of animal genetic materials.
Objectives
The objective of this assignment is to contribute to the knowledge being accumulated on the extent of livestock species and breeds admixture in transhumant farming, as a precursor towards the implementation of sustainable improvement and conservation programmes in Africa.
Other specific objectives are:
- To assess the admixture levels occurring in transhumant farming as a result of gene-flow between genetically differentiated populations (genetic pollution potentially causing uncontrolled introgression)
- Describes what occurs during transhumance in terms of mating choices and breeding decisions
- To assess the effects, threats and benefits of transhumance on local animal genetic resources and their environments
- Map the opportunities and challenges of genetic improvement and breeds conservation connected to transhumance
- Propose breeding strategies for better exploitation and sustainable utilization of genetic diversity and conservation of breeds
Expected Results
The expected results of the study are:
- Understandings of what take place during transhumance in terms of mating choices and breeding decisions
- Identified highlights that could be used as components of policy briefs to the decision makers.
At the end of the study, one document is expected including:
- The admixture levels occurring in transhumant farming as a result of gene-flow between genetically differentiated populations
- Description of what occurs during transhumance in terms of mating choices and breeding decisions
- The effects, threats and benefits of transhumance on local animal genetic resources and their environments
- Map the opportunities and challenges of genetic improvement and breeds conservation connected to transhumance
- Breeding strategies for better exploitation and sustainable utilization of genetic diversity and conservation of breeds.
Reports
The Consultant is required to prepare the following technical reports in English/French:
Inception Report (IcTR)
An Inception Report (IcTR) within 5 days of commencing duty. The IcTR of not more than 10 pages should include the proposed methodology, the timeline/calendar and programme of activities, places to visit, people to meet and an outline of the contents of the Final Technical Report.
Interim Technical Report (InTR)
The interim Technical Report is perceived to be the First Draft of the Final Technical Report (FTR), before a final clean copy of the FTR is formally and officially submitted to and for acceptance by AU-IBAR.
Final Technical Report (FTR)
The Final Technical Report (FTR) should take into account contributions and comments from the relevant stakeholders and AU-IBAR. The draft final report must be submitted at the end of the period of implementation of the tasks. The duration of the consultancy will be not more than 2 calendar month from the day of signature of the contract.
Submission & Approval of Progress Reports
Three copies of the progress reports referred to above must be submitted to AU-IBAR. The progress reports must be written in English/French. AU-IBAR is responsible for approving the progress reports.
Requirements
Qualification
The position requires an expert in agriculture, livestock sciences, rural development, sociology, economics or equivalent qualifications. A good understanding of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture will be an advantage.
Experience
General Experience
The candidate should have:
- At least 7 years’ experience in the management of AnGR, planning process for the management and development of AnGR in Africa.
Specific Experience
- Minimum 5 years working experience in areas associated with this consultancy, such as animal genetic resources issues and development, agriculture, livestock sciences, rural development, sociology, economics
- Strong planning and management skills;
- Ability to relate and work well with a diverse range of stakeholders at local, national and regional levels
- An experience in working with communities, civil society organizations and international organizations is an asset.
- Excellent coordination, facilitation and communication skills
- Proficient in English/French language, spoken and written
- Ability to write, review, and edit reports
- Also ability to prepare and conduct a presentation
Budget
The maximum budget for this consultancy is USD 15,000.00 all inclusive (consultancy fees, travel costs and DSA for field visits if necessary, incidental expenses).
Selection of the Consultant
The selection of the consultant will be based on the technical evaluation. The Consultant with the highest technical score will be selected.
HOW TO APPLY:
Submission of Proposals
Applications should be sent to: applications@au-ibar.org with mention “Effects of transhumance on the management of animal genetic resources”.
Deadline
The deadline for application is 10th June 2016 at 15h00 (Nairobi time).
