Abstract:

Functional and long-term breeding programs with comprehensive recording of phenotypic information from smallholder dairy production systems in Africa are few, limiting herd productivity gains and profitability. To bridge the gap, a pilot information and communication technology-based platform for collation, evaluation and feedback on phenotypic and genomic data from smallholder farms in Tanzania and Ethiopia has been developed through the Africa Dairy Genetic Gains (ADGG) program initiated in 2016. In 2020, pedigree data from 65,624 and 110,959 animals in Tanzania and Ethiopia respectively was evaluated to develop restricted selection indexes and a genomic prediction pipeline for animals in the unique smallholder production environments. Integrated into ADGG, the iCow platform provides digital extension messages to farmers, sharing results from the genomic evaluation and breeding management support for improving productivity of their dairy animals. The genomic evaluation of crossbred dairy animals enables selective breeding for enhanced productivity in smallholder farming systems of Africa