India’s Unique Breed Saviour Awards

The Kharai camel breeders from Kutch were among the proud recipients of a National Breed Saviour Award

In a moving ceremony held at India’s National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) in Chennai on 10th January, twenty livestock keepers received awards for their dedication to conserving indigenous breeds. In his speech, the secretary of the NBA, Mr. Reddy, emphasized the importance of Livestock Keepers’ Rights and the need for every civilized country to implement this bundle of rights. More information about the award winners and the breeds that they steward is here.

EU Briefing on Pastoralism

On 22 nd February, the EU Commission, in collaboration with the African Union and the Center for Tropical Agriculture, organised an official briefing on African pastoralism. Lack of visibility of pastoralism and its role in food security was diagnosed as a major problem, but itwas extremely encouraging that the EU is giving the topic some attention.   More information here.

Marketing and value-addition of local livestock products

As local livestock breeds cannot compete in quantity with industrial livestock systems, it makes sense to focus on their unique qualitative aspects – as a means of conservation and source of livelihoods. LPP organised the first write-shop on this topic and the result was subsequently published by FAO in its Animal production and Health series. We also support our partner Lokhit Pashu-Palak Sansthan in efforts to diversify the product range of the dromedary camel in India.

Current project: “Ark project”

Publication

  • Adding value to livestock diversity. Marketing to promote local breeds and improve livelihoods. FAO Animal production and Health Paper 168. LPP, IUCN&FAO.