How Gene Editing Could Shape the Future of Resilient and Sustainable Livestock Breeds

According to the director of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Prof Apollinaire Djikeng, the livestock sector is currently faced with the effects of climate change such as heat, diseases, and limited food and water which is affecting production.

Agriculture scientists in Africa are considering gene editing in livestock to have livestock breeds that can tolerate the increasing heat stress, have the ability to convert small feeds into enough food for bodybuilding and growth, but also be resilient to common diseases.

According to the director of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Prof Apollinaire Djikeng, the livestock sector is currently faced with the effects of climate change such as heat, diseases, and limited food and water which is affecting production.

He explained that through genetic engineering they can improve the existing breeds to increase their ability to survive where there are high temperatures or heat stress.

Djikeng made the revelation on Monday, October 30, in a panel discussion on Science Technology and Innovation and how it can make agriculture resilient at the African Conference on Agriculture Technologies (ACAT) taking place at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi Kenya.

The conference is running under the theme Agricultural Resilience through Innovations, organised by the African Agriculture Technology Foundation (AATF).

Dr Canisius Kanangire the executive director at AATF explained that the Conference is designed to tackle issues relating to Agriculture and Food security.

“ACAT presents Africa another opportunity to rethink how best agricultural productivity can be enhanced,” Kanangire said.

Prossy Nandudu : Journalist @New Vision