8th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture (AACAA8)

Introduction to AACAA8

World food production systems, particularly in Africa, have recently faced unprecedented challenges from climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic. For food of animal origin in particular, these recent challenges are in addition to already existing challenges of animal diseases and parasites, human-wildlife conflicts, cross-border diseases, long droughts, lack of markets, under-funded research, and lack of viable extension services leading to deficiency in management skills in animal farming. All these negative impacts on sustainable livestock production have weakened Africa's food production capacity. 

One other emerging challenge that African animal agriculture has to contend with is the de-campaigning of meat production by environmentalists. Even the message to consumers to lessen the consumption of red meat, especially from ruminants, has reached unprecedented proportions based on purported greenhouse gases from ruminants. 

These challenges need consistent research and science-based evidence from both African and international scientists to provide solutions to our farmers. 

The lack of inter-African trade in animal products, goods, and services has also undermined food security in the continent. 

Localised cattle rustling in some regions of Africa is a long-standing problem that skipped the eye of researchers and scientists. However, it has the potential to fuel civil strife among communities, diplomatic rows among countries, and spread diseases. 

Can animal scientists propose innovative sustainable solutions to this and many more challenges facing African animal agriculture?

AWEI at AACAA8

How can the livestock production become sustainable and wildlife-friendly? 

What are the opportunities for the production and harvesting of wild meat? 

AWEI is co-hosting a workshop which will address two key conference themes:

• Transforming African animal agriculture 

• Ecological goods and services in African animal agriculture

In our workshop, we will explore:

• Transforming indigenous African genetic resources through the development of the wild meat sector

• Enhancing the ecological goods and services from indigenous African animal resources