Theme 3-2: Livestock Production Systems--Poster Sessions

Description

Sahiwal genetic resources is an integral part of the ASALs economy of Kenya. Sahiwal is the largest single dual purpose cattle breed kept by the pastoral communities in the ASALs where livestock products are the main drivers of food and nutrition security, and a source of income to support other household obligations. It was introduced in Kenya to upgrade the low performing small east African Zebu because of its superior productive and reproductive performance. The promising results of this upgrading programme led to the breed gaining preference over the local Zebu among the Maasai pastoralists. Despite the impressive results from this breed and subsequent high demand for milk and beef due to increase in population, supply of superior bulls and cows from the nucleus herd to the commercial herds remain low. It is likely that the problem will continue and perhaps in future the numbers of Sahiwal population may reduce unless appropriate measures are put in place. Pastoralists and other stakeholders such as policy makers need technical guidance to identify the most seemly approaches to ensure long term breed multiplication and conservation as well as optimal utilisation in ASALs. This study looks at the underlying challenges and opportunities that are there to exploit advantages of the breed. Gaps in knowledge and supportive logistics for low input production system for the breed are also discussed as well as implications of Sahiwal cattle and practices and technologies for pastoral-based systems.

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Sahiwal Breed in Pastoral Production Systems in Kenya: Future Roles and Existing Gaps in Knowledge and Supportive Technical Logistics; A Review

Sahiwal genetic resources is an integral part of the ASALs economy of Kenya. Sahiwal is the largest single dual purpose cattle breed kept by the pastoral communities in the ASALs where livestock products are the main drivers of food and nutrition security, and a source of income to support other household obligations. It was introduced in Kenya to upgrade the low performing small east African Zebu because of its superior productive and reproductive performance. The promising results of this upgrading programme led to the breed gaining preference over the local Zebu among the Maasai pastoralists. Despite the impressive results from this breed and subsequent high demand for milk and beef due to increase in population, supply of superior bulls and cows from the nucleus herd to the commercial herds remain low. It is likely that the problem will continue and perhaps in future the numbers of Sahiwal population may reduce unless appropriate measures are put in place. Pastoralists and other stakeholders such as policy makers need technical guidance to identify the most seemly approaches to ensure long term breed multiplication and conservation as well as optimal utilisation in ASALs. This study looks at the underlying challenges and opportunities that are there to exploit advantages of the breed. Gaps in knowledge and supportive logistics for low input production system for the breed are also discussed as well as implications of Sahiwal cattle and practices and technologies for pastoral-based systems.