Country Report on THE STATE OF ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES (Sri Lanka) submitted to THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Compiled by Dr. A.D.N. Chandrasiri Veterinary Research Institute P.O. Box 28, Peradeniya SRI LANKA July 2002 PREFACE By 2020 the world is expected to consume 120 million tons and 240 million tons more meat and milk respectively than it did in 1993. To meet this expected increase in demand more reliance is being placed on high producing few breeds and intensification of animal husbandry. Most farm animal breeding is taking place in the developed countries using animals that require great care and large amount of food. Valuable local genetic resources in the least developed and developing world are still idling. Many countries have indigenous animals species and breeds that could potentially contribute far more to food and agriculture production than they are currently contributing and meet much wider human needs. The FAO and its inter governmental Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) which has 161 members and is the major international forum for developing policies on genetic resources for food and agriculture, has requested the preparation, through a country-driven process, of the first Report on the state of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. This report will provide a foundation for setting country, regional and global priorities and assistance in maintaining and enhancing the contribution of animal genetic resources (AnGR) to food and agriculture. The ultimate objective of this exercise is to improve national capacities and international co- operation to develop and use of efficient livestock production systems. This will be achieved through the development and wise use of locally adapted AnGR, whilst taking into consideration the constraints and opportunities created by growing demands on the livestock sector and by changing climate, disease status and technologies. These locally adapted animals could be used to improve the food security by increasing their productivity through breeding programs. Continuous introduction of exotic germplasm in breed improvement programs without giving due consideration for the conservation of the valuable indigenous breeds has resulted in dilution of the local populations. As a result, these low productive but genetically valuable local breeds are now threatened. This report has been prepared according to the guidelines provided by the FAO and has addressed the Avian and Mammalian species that are of interest to food and agriculture in Sri Lanka. Existing data from various sources have been used in the preparation of the report and wherever possible the trends that have occurred have also been analyzed using the past records. Due to the civil disturbances in the North and Eastern parts of the country collation and analysis of data and information have been difficult and certain information were not available. It is believed that this report would provide sufficient information on the state of AnGR, the trends of these resources and their current contribution to food and agriculture and rural development. i In this report the authors have strived to assess the country’s capacity to manage the AnGR and to prioritize national capacities for the sustainable conservation and utilization of AnGR. Further this report has also compiled essential baseline data and information on the state of animal genetic diversity highlighting the gaps and problems. Existing policies and changes needed to meet the current demand have also been given due consideration. I hope this document will fulfill the requirements of the FAO. Finally I take this opportunity to thank Dr. A.D.N. Chandrasiri, the Chairman and all the members of the National Consultative Committee (NCC) for spending their valuable time and energy in the preparation of this report within a very short time frame using extremely limited resources without any additional funding. Dr. S.S. Balachandran Director General Department of Animal Production and Health P.O. Box 13 Peradeniya ii MESSAGE OF THE HON. MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK AND SAMURDHI, SRI LANKA It is with great pleasure that I convey my greetings and best wishes to the National Consultative Committee (NCC) on the occasion of the publication of the country report on the State of the Animal Genetic Resources in Sri Lanka. The goal of this document is to provide policy makers, stakeholders and international organizations with the information and guidance for developing and strengthening legal and institutional frame work in order that preservation and sustainable use of farm animal genetic resources would take place in accordance with the Convention on Biological Diversity. This report provides structural framework in the present situation of the farm animal genetic resources. It gives an understanding of the current status, sustainable use, and threats envisaged, gaps and problems and impact of the introduction of exotic breeds on indigenous breeds. This document not only provides an assessment of the present situation of country’s farm animal genetic resources, it also provides the present national capacities and international cooperation to achieve the sustainable intensification of livestock development. Sri Lanka has many indigenous and locally adapted animal species and breeds that could potentially contribute far more to food and agriculture production than they do at present. Although these animals are low productive they are well adapted to the local environment and possess good characteristics. Among livestock farmers in Sri Lanka majority belongs to the rural sector. Highland farming is greatly integrated with livestock and this diversification will improve the present food security and rural development. Farm animal genetic resources if developed successfully to ensure productivity and quality has the capacity to alleviate rural poverty, which is one of the main objectives of this ministry. I have no doubt that this document will fulfill the requirement of the FAO. This document is the result of an intensely participatory process involving many discussions and consultations with the relevant agencies and stakeholders. I am happy with the effort that was made in compiling this document and my ministry wishes to thank the Chairman, Technical Secretary and the National Coordinator of the NCC and all those contributed in preparing this document using extremely limited resources and within the given time frame. S.B. Dissanayake Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Samurdhi July 2002. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report is intended to provide information on the present status of the farm animal genetic resources in Sri Lanka. On behalf of the National Consultative Committee I wish to thank every one who helped me to make this document a reality. Particularly I would like to thank Mr. Gamini Gamage (Director/ Biodiversity, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resource Management), Dr. Mrs. Pradeepa Silva (Senior Lecturer, Department of Animal Sc., Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya), Dr. Missaka P.B. Wijayagunawardana (Senior Lecturer, Department of Animal Sc., Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya). Mr. S.H.G. Wickramaratne (Livestock Officer, Veterinary Research Institute) Mr. D.V.S. de S. Gamage (Research Officer, Veterinary Research Institute), and Mr. A.S. Premasundara (Assistant Director/ Dairy Development, Department of Animal Production and Health) for providing information, writing relevant chapters and giving valuable suggestions. Special thanks are due to Mr. A.S. Premasundara for designing the cover page. My sincere thanks are due to Dr. B.D.R. Wijewardene and Dr. Mrs. Pradeepa Silva for editing the manuscript. I also wish to thank Dr. R. Wickramasinghe, Director/ Veterinary Research) for allowing the use of the computer facilities at the Veterinary Research Institute. Special thanks are due to Dr. Mrs. Hemali Kotalawala for providing the maps on distribution of the livestock breeds of Sri Lanka. I thank the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resource Management for sponsoring the workshops. Last but not least I wish to thank Ms. Sandamali Dissanayake for her excellent typing. Without her assistance I would not have completed this tremendous task in time. Finally I wish to thank the Technical Secretary, National Coordinator and all the members of the National Consultative Committee and all the participants of the workshops for their encouragement and moral support extended towards me. Dr. A.D.N. Chandrasiri. Veterinary Research Officer, Veterinary Research Institute, P.O. Box 28, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. iv Members of the National Consultative Committee, for the preparation of the 1st Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources (Sri Lanka AnGR Status Report) 1. Dr. A.D.N. Chandrasiri, Veterinary Research Officer - Chairman Veterinary Research Institute, P.O. Box 28, Peradeniya. Tel. 08-388311/388312/388539/ [email protected] 2. Mr. A.S. Premasundara, Assistant Director/ Dairy Development - Technical Secretary Department of Animal Production and Health, P.O. Box 13, Peradeniya. [email protected] Tel. 08-389462/ [email protected] 3. Mr. D.V.S. de S. Gamage, Research Officer - National Coordinator Veterinary Research Institute, P.O. Box 28, Peradeniya. Tel. 08-388311/ [email protected] 4. Mr. Gamini Gamage, Director/ Biodiversity - Member Ministry of Environment and Natural Resource Management, ‘Parisara Piyasa’, 104, Robert Gunawardena