Breeding programs involving either centralized nucleus schemes and/or importation of exotic germplasm for crossbreeding were not successful and sustainable in most Africa countries. Community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) are now suggested as alternatives that aim to improve local breeds and concurrently conserve them. Community-based breeding program is unique in that it involves the different actors from the initial phase of design up until implementation of the programs, gives farmers the knowledge, skills and support they need to continue making improvements long into the future and is suitable for low input systems. In Ethiopia, we piloted CBBPs in sheep and goats, and the results show that they are technically feasible to implement, generate genetic gains in breeding goal traits and result in socio-economic impact. In Malawi, CBBPs were piloted in local goats, and results showed substantial gain in production traits of growth and carcass yields. CBBPs are currently being integrated into goat pass-on programs in few NGOs and is out-scaled to local pig production. Impressive results have also been generated from pilot CBBPs in Tanzania. From experiential monitoring and learning, their success depends on the following: 1) identification of the right beneficiaries; 2) clear framework for dissemination of improved genetics and an up/out scaling strategy; 3) institutional arrangements including establishment of breeders’ cooperatives to support functionality and sustainability; 4) capacity development of the different actors on animal husbandry, breeding practices, breeding value estimation and sound financial management; 5) easy to use mobile applications for data collection and management; 6) long-term technical support mainly in data management, analysis and feedback of estimated breeding values from committed and accessible technical staff; 7) complementary services including disease prevention and control, proper feeding, and market linkages for improved genotypes and non-selected counterparts; 8) a system for certification of breeding rams/bucks to ensure quality control; 9) periodic program evaluation and impact assessment; and 10) flexibility in the implementation of the programs. Lessons relating to technical, institutional, community dynamics and the innovative approaches followed are discussed.

Due to the decrease of household incomes, the increase of food prices, and the negative effects of climate change on agricultural production, Tunisia faces a food insecurity challenge, especially in rural and arid areas. The purpose of our research is to understand and explore household resilience to food insecurity in two villages, Selta and Zoghmar, in central Tunisia. A cross-sectional survey of 250 sample households was conducted in the villages. Factor analysis and regression models were employed to analyze the data using SPSS version 21. The results indicate that only around 36% of the households were resilient at different levels. In Selta, 62.8% and in Zoghmar 66.7% of the households were vulnerable. As indicated by the factor loadings and beta coefficients, income and food access, adaptive capacity, and the social safety net were important dimensions of household resilience to food insecurity, being positively correlated with the resilience index. However, asset possession, and climate change negatively affect household resilience. Therefore, interventions must target strategies that address the different levels of resilience reflected by the resilience estimators. These estimators were generated by focusing mainly on building farmers’ knowledge of how to face the different difficulties and challenges.

Background: Cysticercus tenuicollis (larvae of Taenia hydatigena) is a frequent cosmopolitan endoparasite of ruminants. The infestation by this parasite is underestimated since it is neither zoonotic nor inducing high economic losses in the sheep sector.Methods: This study aimed at estimating different parasitological indicators, Cysticercus tenuicollis infestation in small ruminants using a slaughterhouse‐based survey in Northeast Tunisia. A total number of 3,692 sheep and 78 goats were examined in the slaughterhouse of Menzel Temime.Results: The overall prevalence was estimated to be 2.8 (106/3692) and 8.9% (7/78) in sheep and goats, respectively. The abundance in these two species was 0.24 and 0.05 and the intensity 1.97 and 2.85, respectively. In goats, all the cysts were found in the mesentery, whilst, in sheep, the majority were in mesentery (96%) but also on the liver in 2% of the cases and in both organs (2%). There were only cysts with aqueous liquid with predominantly middle‐sized cysts (1 to 3 cm) corresponding to 63.15 and 70.34% in sheep and goats, respectively.Conclusion: Since, in small ruminants, the infestation by C. tenuicollis indicators are not high, low cost control measures should be implemented to eliminate this parasite in Northeast Tunisia.

Paratuberculosis (Ptb) is a widespread chronic infection caused byMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis(Map) that affects both domestic and wild ruminants. Most of the studies focused on cattle while, the prevalence of Ptb in sheep in different regions of the world is not well investigated. This study aimed to address this gap of knowledge by screening adult female sheep for paratuberculosis antibodies in different geographical regions of Tunisia. A total number of 338 female sheep from 15 small to middle‐sized, extensively managed sheep farms in six regions across Tunisia were sampled. Animals were clinically examined before blood sampling. Sera were tested for the presence of anti‐Mycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosisantibodies using a commercial ELISA kit. Six farms out of 15 comprised at least one seropositive animal and 11 female sheep out of 338 tested animals (3.25%; 95% CI = [1.83–5.73]) were seropositive toM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis. The seroprevalence was significantly lower in 5‐year‐old females (p = .04) and animals that do not graze (p = .02). Due to its huge economic and social impacts, paratuberculosis represents a health problem in Tunisia and several other countries Further investigations are needed to rank sheep Ptb in Tunisia among other diseases and to assess the main risk factors using a larger nation‐wide survey.