http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/genetics/natcord.html This presentation by Nguetta Bosso was held at a side event during the 9th Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, from 6-8 July 2016 in Rome, Italy.

1. Strengthening the Capacity of African Countries
to Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation of
African Animal Genetic Resources

2. Brief on achievements of the project
in view of the Global Plan of Action
Side Event 9th ITWG - AnGR, Friday 08 July 2016, Rome, Italy

3. 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

4. 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

5. Enumerators training on characterization of Tilapia fish using the manuals

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19.  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

20. 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

21. 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

22.  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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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