Dairy cow in Tanga, Tanzania (photo credit: ILRI/Paul Karaimu).

Improving the genetic makeup of Africa’s dairy cattle has the potential increase farmer productivity and profitability, hence transform the lives of millions of dairy families across Africa. This latest program, African Dairy Genetic Gains (ADGG) program, led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), offers real opportunities to help smallholders improve their lives through livestock. It also contributes to ILRI’s global livestock genetics program—LiveGene.

Building on previous research and integrated with complementary ongoing initiatives, the program draws on recent successfully outcomes in the Dairy Genetics East Africa (DGEA) projects: the achievement of productivity gains in smallholder dairy herds when farmers are informed about the suitable cross-bred animal types.

Initiated in November 2015 by ILRI and partners, ADGG helps African smallholder farmers grow their livelihoods through better access to productive and adapted dairy cow breed types, and helps them to access two-way information, extension and training systems tailored to their needs. This improved knowledge of the breed composition of their cows will help farmers determine the profitability compositions in their environments.

Specifically, ADGG will establish performance recording and sampling systems in Tanzania and Ethiopia, use the information and samples to develop systems to select cross-bred bulls and cows of superior genetic merit for artificial insemination (AI) and natural mating, and pilot farmer-feedback systems that assist farmers to improve their productivity. The goal is to establish working systems based on public-private partnerships with a clear route to long-term sustainability within the five-year life of the program.

Building on previous research and integrated with complementary ongoing initiatives, the program draws on recent successful outcomes in the Dairy Genetics East Africa (DGEA) projects: the achievement of productivity gains in smallholder dairy herds when farmers are informed about the suitable cross-bred animal types. Building upon these outcomes, ADGG will establish national Dairy Performance Recording Centres (DPRCs), equipped with digital data capture and farmer-feedback systems in the two countries.

This initiative will run parallel with a private-public Partnership for Artificial Insemination Delivery (PAID). Led by Land O’Lakes International Development, PAID will partner with local government institutions and multinational and local dairy genetics companies to scale-out effective door-step AI delivery and heifer multiplication in Tanzania and Ethiopia. The linkages between the two programs will combine the partners’ strengths to engage in research and deliver improved dairy performance for smallholders.

Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ILRI will partner with national AI centres in Ethiopia and Tanzania, the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute, the University of New England, Scotland’s Rural College, Green Dreams Tech Ltd. and Land O’Lakes International Development.

For more information, see the ILRI project profile, African Dairy Genetic Gains