Focused on the erosion of domestic animal diversity and to promote farmer/pastoralist-centered approaches to the conservation of indigenous animal breeds. Despite their important and multifunctional role in supporting rural livelihoods, there are many instances where these valuable genetic resources are endangered due to factors that include substitution or cross-breeding with imported breeds, unfavourable marketing environments for their products, loss of pasture grounds, wars, droughts and other crises. Conservation of the remaining domestic animal diversity is mandated by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which also accords certain rights and benefits to pastoralist and farming communities that have nurtured unique livestock breeds.
Key goals of ‘LIFE’, which is supported financially by Misereor, are to raise awareness among pastoralist organizations about the implications of the CBD and to assist with capacity building in the conservation and development of indigenous breeds.
Other envisioned activities include:
- study and documentation of indigenous knowledge relating to livestock breeding and breeds
- case studies of livestock breeds that are threatened, and the social, economic and political factors involved
- information exchange between NGOs, pastoralist and farmers associations, scientific institutions, policy makers through workshops (see the announcement of a workshop in Udaipur and Sadri) and an electronic mailing list
- lobbying for more participatory approaches by formal sector organizations
The activities of ‘LIFE’ have already resulted in a loose network of professionals and organizations throughout the world and it is hoped that a more formal network will be established in the near future. A small number of discussion and strategy papers are already available.