Author/Authors :
Santoze, Adido Pan African University Institute of Basic Science, Technology and Innovation, Nairobi Kenya , Gicheha, Mathiew Department of Animal Sciences - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
Abstract :
The current review focuses on phenotypic characterization of West African cattle breeds for the development
of breeding programmes for indigenous beef cattle genetic resources. Indigenous cattle breeds found in West Africa
were identified and characterized using information from refereed journals, conference papers and research reports. A
data mining exercise was carried out at the start of the review. Different literature search systems were used. The choice
of a search system to be utilised was based on the database involved. Approximately 400 academic journal papers,
refereed conference papers and peer reviewed research reports on livestock characterisation in Africa in general were
found. A process of selecting the most relevant ones to the current review was carried out through scanning through
each publication abstract. Results of this review indicates that smallholder cattle production in West Africa is extensive
and dominated by indigenous cattle breeds with ability to adapt to the local environment. The breeds include Somba,
Lagune, Muturu, N’Dama, Kuri, Maure, Azawak, Gudali, Shuwa, White Fulani, Djelli, Gobra, Ketekou, Ghana Sanga
and Borgou. The contributions of these breeds to West African country’s economy ranges from provision of food,
cultural and ecological roles as well as a source of income. They also have adaptive traits including but not limited
to tolerance to ticks and tick-borne diseases, heat and diseases such as trypanosomiasis. Although smallholder cattle
farming systems contributes substantially to household food security and income, their productivity is hindered by
several constraints including high prevalence of diseases and parasites, limited food availability and poor marketing.
