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Moderated conference on Genomics in Food and Agriculture

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Tue, 12 Mar 2013 09:51:47 +0100
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This is from Mark Boggess, National Program Leader - Food Animal Production 101, Animal Production and Protection, in the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS).

I would like to support the arguments made by Uche Godfrey Okeke and John Gibson with an additional perspective or two.
 
I agree that the remarkable progression of genomic theory and application is potentially providing extraordinary opportunity for small-holders and livestock industry programs in developing countries, especially when combined with next generation sequencing. I am confident that properly administered and developed there will be extraordinary progress in areas of critical need relating to food security and economic vitality.
 
I too agree, however, that too often the focus has been on improving genetic progress or genetic expression in a vacuum, with little consideration of the ultimate, long term impact on the farmer, the rural community or economic and environmental sustainability. A couple of points to support this perspective:
 
1. Starting in the 1950s in America, almost every technology, policy and regulation promoted production with extraordinary results; a 4 fold increase in corn yield, a 3+ fold increase in milk yield per lactation, incredible improvement in animal lean gain and efficiency in pork and poultry. Similar improvements were realized across virtually all of agriculture. These improvements are continuing today and will be vital to meeting the food security demands of 2050. Most of these technologies and the models which drive them have been adopted or developed around the world.  
 
However, while the focus on production was the highest priority and has produced remarkable results, other key factors were NOT always prioritized and many not until just recently including; environmental sustainability, animal well-being (socially acceptable animal production), intellectual property (IP) and patent issues with technologies such as GMO corn, and "sun based" energy for agriculture. Priorities such as family farms or rural economic vitality were also not prioritized in the agriculture "arms race" as evidenced by the incredible reduction in farmers and farm families over the past 80 years. And, from a food security perspective this still might be the most appropriate model. However, modern North American style production agriculture - technology driven, low labor - has little application in Africa or most other developing countries which are labor rich and technology poor. In these areas we have the opportunity to promote production and food security while also considering other vital social and environmental priorities and hopefully we have learned from our mistakes.
 
2. Again focusing on developing countries, animal agriculture and technology; bridging the divide between the emerging technologies and application in developing countries will be a monumental challenge. Small holders and the animal industries in sub-Saharan Africa in particular, are challenged by many issues including: drought, heat, poor quality forage, lack of supplemental micro nutrients, internal and external parasites, disease and limited information/education and support programs. Additionally, many locally adapted farm animal species/genetic lines are not very productive. Being a survivor does not always mean that the animal is adapted, especially if it is not productive. On the other side of the coin, many animal breeds/lines that are highly productive in developed countries would not survive for long in Africa with these extreme challenges. Consequently, developing effective genomic programs and advancing technologies so that they have maximum impact and benefit will be difficult and will require extraordinary vision and leadership. Unlike plant systems, where a genetic mistake can be addressed with minimal human, economic or environmental impact, a mistake in an animal program might be catastrophic, particularly on a local level. Animals represent income and also provide critical animal products, but they also represent personal wealth and physical assets for many small-holders. All of these factors must be considered and programs developed with minimal risk for the farmers and the rural community.
 
3. Finally, at the USDA-ARS we are currently developing a goat genome sequence/genomics project and are working in Africa with various stakeholders. As expected, the genomic program is strong and the potential is extraordinary. As stated by others, genomic technologies potentially will speed generation interval, identify valuable genes/markers/QTL, etc that will have real impact, and negate the need for pedigrees in genetic evaluation; all of which will potentially greatly increase genetic progress. And if done properly the result will be improved food security, economic vitality and animal system sustainability. The trick will be to bridge the gap between the potential for genomics and the harsh reality on the ground.
 
Thanks for the opportunity to contribute. I look forward to hearing the thoughts of the community.
 
Mark Boggess, Ph.D
National Program Leader - Food Animal Production 101
Animal Production and Protection        
USDA-ARS - National Program Staff          
5601 Sunnyside Avenue                               
Room 4-2114                                        
Beltsville, MD 20705-5134                         
United States
Office: 301-504-4736
Cell:  240-381-1105
E-mail: mark.boggess (at) ARS.USDA.GOV

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