Pig genetic resource conservation: The Southern African perspective

摘要: Abstract Local pigs in Southern Africa are an important component of resource-based subsistence farming systems and contribute substantially to the improvement livelihoods farmers. In addition utilising by-products feed resources that otherwise no use, they serve various socio-economic functions. The numbers, breeds population genetic structures, attributes risk status these understudied. few studies date, have been shown be tolerant parasites endemic their production environment. They also a better chance survive disease outbreaks higher capacity utilise fibrous poor quality compared exotic breeds. Their environment has described with women owning most pigs. farmers tend keep herd sizes small order adequately meet animals' nutrition needs. This leads populations vulnerable inbreeding disasters. addition, there incentive place promote conservation There is urgent need address research policy gaps, formulate strategies for this resource.