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People and Animals

Traditional Livestock Keepers: guardians of domestic animal diversity

Year of publication 2007

Author Animal Production and Health Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Category Technical book

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Achieving food security for all is at the heart of the mandate of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The key role of agricultural biodiversity in meeting this objective was once more emphasized by the Secretary-General of the United Nations on World Food Day in 2004, when he urged for greater attention to the role of biodiversity in the fight against hunger. By protecting and increasing the world's stock of genetic resources, small-scale farmers and herders are making an especially important contribution to food security. Their role as guardians of biodiversity has formally been recognized by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in article 8j. Furthermore, in Decision VII/3 the CBD invited all governments to mainstream agricultural biodiversity in their national plans, programmes and strategies with the active participation of local and indigenous communities. It also encouraged them to recognize and support the efforts of local and i ndigenous communities in conserving agricultural biodiversity. The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture facilitates and oversees cooperation between FAO and the Conference of Parties to the CBD. It coordinates FAO’s interaction and work with the CBD and with other international bodies, in the areas of conservation and sustainable utilization of genetic resources for food and agriculture, as well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their use. I n collaboration with livestock communities, research centres, universities, governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), FAO identified and documented 13 case studies on how communities manage their local animal genetic resources. These case studies demonstrate that local knowledge is crucial in preserving the equilibrium between farmers, their animals and the environment. However, livestock keepers’ role in maintaining this balance and conserving biodiversity is under a great deal of pressure from changing land tenure policies to the benefit of the private sector and the expansion of natural reserves. Formal government involvement could significantly reduce farmers’ exposure to these risks. This study aims to raise awareness and subsequently encourage decision-makers to include conservation and development of animal genetic resources in legal, regulatory and institutional planning.

Language English

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