| Sumario: | Livestock breeding is an essential activity in West Africa. However, its productivity is usually
low and it cannot provide enough food to meet the needs of a growing population. To improve
livestock productivity, it is necessary to face numerous constraints that could be resolved by
research and development activities based in part on biotechnology tools. Different researches
using biotechnology tools are conducted in CIRDES on the genetic characterisation of local
breeds, parasites and vectors to improve animal health and production. However, all these
researches cannot be performed in full at CIRDES or in any other West African institute. Human
resources and equipment are not sufficient to achieve the objectives of the research programmes.
Building a biotechnology platform in West Africa, with the required equipment and the trained
staff in the national agriculture research systems of the sub-region, could solve this problem.
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