Farm animal genetic resources in egypt : Factsheet

Abstract EN

Egyptian and international literature shows that Egypt has got more than 60 local and derived breeds of livestock excluding exotic breeds.

This enormous number of breeds needs to be verified and refined.

Most of these breeds are named in an ad hoc manner according to their geographical location.

Since there are only few discriminate characteristics to distinguish many of these breeds, proper phenotypic and genetic characterization is needed to be able to draw objective breeding plans for the utilization and possible conservation of some these valuable genetic resources.

Aside from the two local rabbit breeds that have become extinct, Baladi White and Giza White, no local breeds seem endangered yet.

However, Baladi cattle and local chicken breeds have suffered greatly from the introductions of exotic breeds due the indiscriminate crossing that usually follows these introductions.

From 1991 to 2004, Baladi cattle have lost 19% of their share in the national cattle herd.

No figures are available for local chicken breeds but the trend is expected to be more alarming.

Livestock production systems in Egypt are under pressure to increase output, especially of animal protein.

This pressure is leading to an intensification of the system with little attention paid to sustainability and environmental elements.

To monitor the state of animal genetic resources in the country animal census must take the breed into account, approximately initially until some breed standards have been established.

Stakeholder networking focused on the characterization and utilization of animal genetic resources is nearly totally absent in the country.