The State of Genetic Diversity

The state of genetic diversity is divided into 3 groups:

1. Locally adapted breeds
2. Recently introduced breeds
3. Continually imported breeds

The State of Knowledge on AnGR

The Agriculture Census is the only survey that has been carried out during the past years that includes animal population but excluding animal breeds within each animal species. Overseas information is gathered on new breed performances and these information is used locally as guidelines on the economic performance of such animals when imported into the country.

There are a lot involved in carrying out these tasks. Funding, manpower and training, to name a few, are some of the major factors required for capacity building in order to carry out these tasks.

There have been no comparative characterization studies (base-line breed surveys, genetic and molecular genetic characterization) being carried out to evaluate the 3 groups involved. But through experience most farmers have noticed differences amongst the 3 groups and they have adapted to the breeds more suited to their needs.

Assessments of Genetic Diversity

The animal species of importance include; pigs, chicken, goat and cattle. Breeds of each species being raised in the Cook Islands are:

• Pigs – Local pigs, Berkshire, Tamworth, Large White, Landrace, and Duroc.
• Chicken – Local chickens, Black Australorp, Rhode Island Re, White Leghorn, Brown Shaver, White Shaver and Cobb.
• Goats - Local breeds, saanen, Fiji goat.
• Cattle – Short horn, Angus, Fresian, Murray Grey and Hereford

There is no programme in place to assist farmers to conserve specific breeds and no breed is being actively developed, or at present in the country but is not currently raised to contribute to food security. There have been some significant changes in the number of breeds in each species. Some of the primary factors causing these trends are:

• The present local market requirements
• The availability of imported balanced feed
• Farmers are more educated
• The availability of breeding stock from overseas.

The impact of exotic genetic resources on indigenous breeds has in some ways been successful and in some ways not successful as the outcome has brought more problems and costs to the farmer. The distribution of the breeds within the country is also clearly defined. The exotic breeds are mainly found on Rarotonga where imported feed, water and market outlets are readily available. Local breeds are mainly distributed among the other small islands where transportation by boat is a problem.

The only wild relatives of domestic species are the wild chickens and on some islands, wild ducks. They have very little status and they do not contribute to any breeding programme for domestic species. For wild chickens, they do contribute to food production but on a small scale.