Genetic Diversity and Disease Resistance in Indigenous Poultry Breeds: A National Perspective

Abstract

The indigenous poultry breeds are very useful in sustainable agriculture and food security because of their genetic stock and natural disease resistance. With such problems in the world as climate change and new diseases, knowledge and preservation of such breeds is more significant than ever. This research work uses cross-sectional research design in estimating genetic polymorphism and disease tolerance in different indigenous poultry breeds in our country. Blood is collected from different breeds, the DNA samples are genetically analyzed and the general health of the animals is determined on how well they are able to fight diseases. The results of this study show that indigenous poultry breeds have high level of genetic structure differentiation, high level of genetic heterogeneity and high level of allelic variation. Blood typing and DNA profiling show good disease resistance genes especially to common local diseases. In the conservation of indigenous poultry breeds’ gene pool and disease tolerance, the involvement of people, studies, and policies is essential. These strategies improve on the health and productivity of poultry as well as improving on sustainable agriculture in the face of changing environment.