The African Goat Improvement Network: A scientific group empowering smallholder farmers

Authors: Van Tassell, Curtis - Curt; Rosen, Benjamin - Ben; Woodward-Greene, Jennifer; Silverstein, Jeffrey; HUSON, HEATHER - Cornell University; SOLKNER, JOHANN - University Of Natural Resources And Life Sciences, Vienna; BOETTCHER, PAUL - Food And Agriculture Organization Of The United Nations (FAO); ROTHSCHILD, MAX - Iowa State University; MESZAROS, GABOR - University Of Natural Resources And Life Sciences, Vienna; NAKIMBUGWE, HELEN - Collaborator; GONDWE, TIMOTHY - Lilongwe University Of Agriculture And Natural Resources; MUCHADEYI, FARAI - Agricultural Research Council Of South Africa; NANDOLO, WILSON - Lilongwe University Of Agriculture And Natural Resources; MULINDWA, HENRY - National Agricultural Research Organization - Uganda; BANDA, LIVENESS - Lilongwe University Of Agriculture And Natural Resources; KAUMBATA, WILSON - Lilongwe University Of Agriculture And Natural Resources; GETACHEW, TESFAYE - Collaborator; HAILE, AYNALEM - Collaborator; SOUDRE, ALBERT - Collaborator; OUEDRAOGO, DOMINIQUE - Joseph Ki-Zerbo University; RISCHKOWSKY, BARBARA - Collaborator; MWAI, ALLY - International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) - Kenya; DZOMBA, EDGAR - University Of Kwazulu-Natal; NASH, OYEKANMI - National Biotechnology Development Agency, Nabda/fmst; ABEGAZ, SOLOMON - Ethiopian Institute Of Agricultural Research; MASIGA, CLET - Tropical Institute Of Development Innovation (TRIDI); WURZINGER, MARIA - University Of Natural Resources And Life Sciences, Vienna; SAYRE, BRIAN - Virginia State University; STELLA, ALESSANDRA - Collaborator; TOSSER-KLOPP, GWENOLA - Inrae; SONSTEGARD, TAD - Acceligen Inc

Submitted to: Frontiers in Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/27/2023
Publication Date: 8/29/2023
Citation: Van Tassell, C.P., Rosen, B.D., Woodward Greene, M.J., Silverstein, J., Huson, H.J., Solkner, J., Boettcher, P., Rothschild, M.F., Meszaros, G., Nakimbugwe, H., Gondwe, T., Muchadeyi, F.C., Nandolo, W., Mulindwa, H.A., Banda, L.J., Kaumbata, W., Getachew, T., Haile, A., Soudre, A., Ouedraogo, D., Rischkowsky, B.A., Mwai, A.O., Dzomba, E.F., Nash, O., Abegaz, S., Masiga, C.W., Wurzinger, M., Sayre, B.L., Stella, A., Tosser-Klopp, G., Sonstegard, T.S. 2023. The African Goat Improvement Network: A scientific group empowering smallholder farmers. Frontiers in Genetics. 14:1183240. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.1183240.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2023.1183240

Interpretive Summary: The African Goat Improvement Network (AGIN) is a collaborative group of scientists focused on genetic improvement of goats in small holder communities across the African continent. The group emerged from a series of workshops focused on enhancing goat productivity. Discussions began late in 2011 at the first workshop. A total of five workshops were held across Africa. The goals of this diverse group were to: improve indigenous goat production in Africa; characterize existing goat populations and to facilitate germplasm preservation where appropriate; and to use genomics to understand adaptation. The long-term goal was to develop cost-effective strategies to apply genomics to improve productivity without sacrificing adaptation. Genome-wide information on genetic variation enabled genetic diversity studies, facilitated improved germplasm preservation decisions, and provided information necessary to initiate large scale genetic improvement programs. These improvements were partially implemented through a series of Community-Based Breeding Programs (CBBPs) that engaged and empowered local small farmers, especially women, to ensure sustainability of the production system.

Technical Abstract: The African Goat Improvement Network (AGIN) is a collaborative group of scientists focused on genetic improvement of goats in small holder communities across the African continent. The group emerged from a series of workshops focused on enhancing goat productivity and sustainability. Discussions began late in 2011 at the inaugural workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya and continued through the re-branded AGIN II meeting in 2013 (Entebbe, Uganda), AGIN III in 2014 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia), AGIN IV in 2016 (at FAO in Rome, Italy), and AGIN V in 2017 (Pretoria, South Africa). The goals of this diverse group were to: improve indigenous goat production in Africa; characterize existing goat populations and to facilitate germplasm preservation where appropriate; and to couple with the use of genomics to understand adaptation. The long-term goal was to develop cost-effective strategies to apply genomics to improve productivity of small holder farmers without sacrificing adaptation. Genome-wide information on genetic variation enabled genetic diversity studies, facilitated improved germplasm preservation decisions, and provided information necessary to initiate large scale genetic improvement programs. These improvements were partially implemented through a series of Community-Based Breeding Programs that engaged and empowered local small farmers, especially women, to promote sustainability of the production system. As many international collaborative efforts, the AGIN work serves as a platform for human capacity development. It is unique in its effectiveness for simultaneous, multi-level capacity building for researchers, students, farmers and communities, and local and regional government officials. The positive impact of AGIN capacity building has been felt by participants from developing, as well as developed country partners.