Using Genomic Technology to Inform Dairy Seedstock Import Choices for Smallholder Dairy Systems in Low-and Middle-Income Countries

The practice of importing dairy animals from developed temperate nations, for both pure breeding and crossbreeding purposes, is frequently employed to boost milk production in tropical low- and middle-income countries.

However, this approach often proves inadequate in smallholder dairy systems in low- and middle-income countries because the imported animals, typically selected and bred for high-input environments, are not adequately adapted to the conditions and needs of smallholder systems.

The African Asian Dairy Genetic Gains (AADGG) program is addressing this gap by identifying and promoting the use of dairy seedstocks suitable for smallholder dairy systems.