Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries to Conservation and

Sustainable Utilisation of African Animal Genetic Resources

Brief on achievements of the project in view of the Global

Plan of ActionSide Event 9th ITWG - AnGR, Friday 08 July 2016, Rome, Italy

Objective: To strengthen the capacity of countries and Regional Economic Communities to sustainably use and conserve African animal genetic resources through institutionalizing national and regional policy, legal and technical instruments

Project Funding: EU €14,5m; AUC €0,4m

Duration: 2013-2018

The approach of the project is to: Facilitate and fast track the implementation of the Global Plan of

Action (GPA) for sustainable use of AnGR in Africa

1. Characterization, Inventory and Monitoring, of Trends and associated Risks

2. Sustainable Use and Development

3. Conservation

4. Policies, Institutions and Capacity Building

Characterization, Inventory and Monitoring, of Trends and associated Risks

Enumerators training on characterization of Tilapia fish using the manuals

Development of harmonized tools/protocols for characterization and inventory of AnGR Guidelines developed for characterization, monitoring and

inventory of AnGR Taxonomy Advisory Group on AnGR to ensure that revised tools &

manuals are customized to collect data more efficiently, and are user-friendly and relevant to the African breeds

Tools digitized and incorporated into the Open Data Kit (ODK) Fifty enumerators from MS were trained on the use of the tools Piloting of the tools currently in 16 selected countries before roll-

out to rest of continent

Development of an African information system on AnGR 7 core data categories of the African Animal Genetic Resources

Information System (AAGRIS) included into ARIS2 The operational structure of AAGRIS is finalized The development of the AAGRIS modules are currently being done

in ARIS2 Preparations are underway to conduct a continental Training of

Trainers and piloting of AAGRIS

Sustainable Use and Development

Kuri cattle in Niger, globally renowned for their enormous horns, are breeds that Africa needs to document and conserve for posterity

Inventory and analysis of national AnGR Policies Key gaps and potential intervention entry points were suggested

which could facilitate the formulation of appropriate policies and legislation to create enabling environments for the management and development of AnGR

Key issues on crossbreeding, conservation, transboundary AnGR as well as their utilization and management were identified

Best practices and lessons learned on policies and regulations on the use of AnGR in Africa were identified

Few African MS have policies & legislations directly concerning AnGR

Support Member States to establish and implement their National Action Plan for Animal Genetic Resources within their livestock policy Participants from all the 54 MS trained to develop and implement

National Strategies and Action Plans (NSAPs) as well as to mainstream AnGR issues into National Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs) within the CAADP framework

MS supported to resuscitate institutions such as National Coordination/Consultative Committees (NCCs) which would spearhead and lead the agenda on AnGR at national level

Support Member States to establish or strengthen their national breeding and conservation strategies as part of their National Action Plan for Animal Genetic Resources Provide financial and technical support to 10 MS and 2 RECs for

their initiatives on conservation strategies Visited and assessed some conservation initiatives on the

Continent in preparation of provision of support

Support the development of regional conservation policy and strategic frameworks for transboundary breeds and populations that are at risk Provide financial and technical support to 2 RECs (IGAD and EAC)

to develop regional strategies for conservation and utilization of transboundary breeds as well as regulatory frameworks for AnGR

Initiated the formulation of guidelines and regional strategies for the sustainable utilization of selected transboundary breeds of livestock in Africa

Conservation

Large cryopreservation tanks available for use in the regional gene bank in Botswana

Establish Regional gene banks to promote ex-situ conservation of Africa’s AnGR Developed a Strategy to promote the sharing of available gene

banking resources and facilities at regional level Assessments of various national gene bank facilities Approval of selection by MS, RECs, SRFPs Technical standards and protocols for the exchange and movement

of genetic materials were proposed Training conducted in “Handling of animal genetic materials” Provided financial support to newly established regional gene

banks

Develop regional framework and policies for in situ and ex situ conservation 5 regional frameworks developed for the articulation of AnGR

issues especially policies and legislation for the management and development of AnGR in Africa

National Coordinators and Focal Points for AnGR participate in their national Livestock Policy Hubs (LPH) created under the Veterinary Governance (Vet-Gov) project

Stimulate discussions and raise awareness on the importance of AnGR and the need to include them in national development agenda, especially through the NAIPs of CAADP to lobby for increased public sector funding and private sector investment

Policies, Institutions and Capacity Building

Publication on the State of AnGR in Africa A 1st draft was produced and reviewed by experts in Africa Highlights the importance of various African breeds and species

that possess important adaptive traits   Serves as an updated reference and provides up-to-date

information and data on the status of AnGR on the continent Readily accessible tool particularly for livestock keepers, policy

and other key decision-makers to take appropriate actions and interventions on resource allocation, as well as stimulating debate to save the highly adapted but endangered African species

Formulation of regional policy or regulatory frameworks for the conservation, management of transboundary breeds and crossbreeding

Assessment of the impact of livestock production systems, livestock mobility and livestock commercialization on AnGR resource base in Africa

Assessment of the socio-economic impact of selection and breeding programs in Africa

Keys issues on crossbreeding, livestock mobility, selection and breeding programs identified

Gaps in terms of policy and ways to address them identified Regional differences and similarities highlighted Best practices and lessons learnt considering the regional

specificities listed Mechanism(s) to foster regional comparative learning identified A strategy to mainstream the policy options and recommendations

from the various studies into national and regional policy processes formulated

Develop national, regional and continental guidelines for the formulation and harmonization of crossbreeding policies No recorded policies and legislation addressing

crossbreeding/transboundary breeds’ issues Studies to develop national and regional policy and regulatory

frameworks on the management of AnGR in Africa conducted to guide the formulation of these instruments for the proper management of AnGR

Best practices, lessons learnt on crossbreeding compiled

Develop technical standards & protocols (including property rights & benefits sharing) for the exchange & use of genetic materials A review of the current status, experiences in the ratification of the

Nagoya Protocol highlighted some future challenges and provided key pieces of information to take informed decisions on the implications of the ratification and implementation of the Protocol

Regional Action Plans to fastrack the implementation of the AU coordinated approach in Africa were developed. An obvious first priority for many African countries is establishing a legal and administrative framework to regulate access to AnGR

An assessment of the legal environment for exchange and movement of AnGR in Africa was conducted. Analyses were done on the existing legal tools, need for their reform, implementation options and the likely effects of different options

Technical standards and protocols for the exchange and movement of genetic materials were developed taking into account the CBD and the Nagoya Protocol

The Guidelines propose a model prior informed consent agreement, a model material transfer agreement, a model benefit-sharing agreement and a model information-sharing agreement

Information sharing through regional networks Continental Network and Community of Practice for information

sharing, lessons learning and coordination of AnGR initiatives established with stakeholders including ILRI, FAO, CIRDES, ITC/WALIC, ASARECA and CORAF/WECARD

In collaboration with FAO, establishment of DAD-Nets for all the sub-regions of Africa as platforms for sharing and exchanging information and data on AnGR was done

5 meetings and expert consultations were conducted with partners and key stakeholders to share and exchange information on AnGR, particularly on ABS, crossbreeding, selection and breeding programs, conservation, transboundary breeds and exchange and movement of animal genetic materials

Support the establishment and strengthening of national and regional livestock breeders’ associations Financial support provided to 10 national breeders’ associations in

all sub-regions of the continent to strengthen their activities including conservation, breed improvement and build their capacity as the frontline custodians of important AnGR

Functional Sub-Regional Focal Points for AnGR 5 SRFP established and supported, anchored in Sub-Regional

Research and Development Organizations to ensure sustainability 2nd General Assembly meetings for all the regions organised to

discuss issues including policy and legislative frameworks for AnGR, crossbreeding, breeding programs, conservation and transboundary breeds, movement and exchange of animal genetic materials and implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on ABS

Documentation and dissemination of project activities The “animal of the month” feature highlighted Africa’s genetic

resources to increase knowledge and raise awareness Project website providing stakeholders with information on the

progress as well as challenges encountered during implementation Reports as well as documentation on project activities are available

on the website 1st Special Edition of the BAPHA on the management of AnGR in

Africa to commemorate the importance of AnGR was published and the 2nd will follow in 2016