Africa’s indigenous livestock are particularly hardy and well-adapted to local production contexts, having evolved adaptations to the continent’s diverse climatic conditions and environmental pressures. Despite the wealth of desirable genetic traits, some of Africa’s iconic and lesser-known livestock are disappearing at an alarming rate. Moreover, despite increasing recognition of what this diversity portends, little has been done to understand and optimally harness the full potential of these genetic resources.

The African Animal Breeding Network (AABNet)’s forthcoming open-access publication on Springer Nature’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Series, “African Livestock Genetic Resources and Sustainable Breeding Strategies: Unlocking a Treasure Trove and Guide for Improved Productivity,” is scheduled for release in 2025.

The open-access book, which aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), is a rich resource chronicling Africa's abundant livestock genetic resources. It focuses on enhancing food security and conserving biodiversity in Sub-Saharan Africa. The book traces the special productive and adaptive attributes of African livestock breeds, past breed improvement efforts, capacity building, and strategies to utilise available genetic resources in modern technologies effectively. The authors cover major farm animal groups, dromedaries, rabbits, and grasscutters.

By combining scientific basis and practical instructions, this work is a valuable manual for a diverse readership, including students, researchers, livestock farmers, livestock and non-governmental organisations, policy makers and business professionals who want to understand the uniqueness of African livestock genetic resources, production systems and strategies for sustainable improvement for the African environment.

It offers insights into harnessing Africa’s unique genetic resources for improved productivity and resilience. As an open-access publication, it will be freely accessible to readers worldwide.

Editors: Eveline M. Ibeagha-Awemu, Sunday O. Peters, Appolinaire Djikeng, and John Edward O. Rege.

Get a hardcover or eBook copy here: https://link.springer.com/book/9783031920752