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. 2023 Aug 29:14:1183240.
doi: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1183240. eCollection 2023.

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

Curtis P Van Tassell  1 , Benjamin D Rosen  1 , M Jennifer Woodward-Greene  1   2 , Jeffrey T Silverstein  3 , Heather J Huson  4 , Johann Sölkner  5 , Paul Boettcher  6 , Max F Rothschild  7 , Gábor Mészáros  5 , Helen N Nakimbugwe  8 , Timothy N Gondwe  9 , Farai C Muchadeyi  10 , Wilson Nandolo  9 , Henry A Mulindwa  11 , Liveness J Banda  9 , Wilson Kaumbata  9 , Tesfaye Getachew  12 , Aynalem Haile  12 , Albert Soudre  13 , Dominique Ouédraogo  14 , Barbara A Rischkowsky  12 , Ally Okeyo Mwai  15 , Edgar Farai Dzomba  16 , Oyekanmi Nash  17 , Solomon Abegaz  18 , Clet Wandui Masiga  19 , Maria Wurzinger  5 , Brian L Sayre  20 , Alessandra Stella  21 , Gwenola Tosser-Klopp  22 , Tad S Sonstegard  23
Affiliations

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

Curtis P Van Tassell et al. Front Genet. .

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 in 2011 at the inaugural workshop held in Nairobi, Kenya. 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 genomic approaches to better 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 with many international collaborative efforts, the AGIN work serves as a platform for human capacity development. This paper chronicles the evolution of the collaborative approach leading to the current AGIN organization and describes how it builds capacity for sustained research and development long after the initial program funds are gone. 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.

Keywords: community-based breeding programs; genetics; genomics; goats; small-holder; sustainability.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author TSS was employed by Acceligen Inc. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

None
Graphical abstract
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
AGIN scientists and partners consider data recorded on goat growth rates.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Goats roaming the streets of Nairobi.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Well managed goats observed on the AGIN I field visit.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Members of AGIN II gathering in Uganda.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Members of AGIN visited a community-based breeding program in the Mentz region of Ethiopia and observed an annual selection of the best sheep in the collective flock as part of the AGIN III field visit.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
AGIN member participate with community selection process as part of the AGIN IV field visit.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Members of AGIN IV workshop at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) in Rome, Italy.
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
Members of the African Goat Improvement Network (AGIN) team at the AGIN V workshop.
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 9
Papadum - The genome sequencing goat
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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